It’s World Cup season time! And, like other global sporting events and like international education, the World Cup reminds us that we are more alike than different–that competition, culture, and community are powerful connection points that can bring the whole world together. This year, the games for the World Cup are being held across North America–in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. However, under the current administration, the US has denied entry to a growing number of World Cup officials including a referee from Somalia, Iraq’s team photographer, and several of Iran’s delegated administration. CBP has not provided explicit rationale to any of these individuals for why they were denied entry, despite having the necessary visas, paperwork, and permissions. While these stories are related to a sporting event, they speak to the broader issues of legal immigration that are impacting our students on a daily basis and serve as a reminder that there is still much work to be done in terms of advocacy and education.
In fact, The Pie highlighted the direct relationship between the World Cup and international students in a recent article titled, “US World Cup Visa Processing Sidelines International Students” (thepienews.com). In spite of the stories mentioned above, World Cup visas, including interviews and processing, are being given precedence over F-1 and J-1 international students. For the short term J-1 applicants, the long waits to just get in the door for an interview could be the difference in being able to attend their prospective summer program at all. And for F-1s, the delays could mean not having approval and therefore an I-20 in time to start for the Fall. The delays are being compared to last year’s interview pause, which had a massive impact on the number of incoming international students for the year. Adding to these concerns is the closing of 30 embassies across Africa, which will severely slow down visa processing in African countries (Reuters).
Other big news that had Orlando buzzing during NAFSA a couple of weeks ago: the haphazard memo from DHS that specified immigrants wishing to obtain a green card would have to leave the US in order to apply. However, there was (unsurprisingly) intense backlash to this memo which the administration was forced to respond to. Different news outlets have interpreted the response in different ways, some calling it a “walk back” (thepienews.com) while others see it as an attempt to “downplay” the impact (CBS News). The statement from DHS claims that the initial memo simply highlights “longstanding law and policy,” and “will have no noticeable impact on highly qualified applicants and skilled professionals who have followed the law.” Immigration attorneys are less than convinced–but time will tell how this memo shapes (or reshapes) the path to permanent residency for so many of our international students.
And, as always, to end on a positive note: another successful court decision has determined that the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B fee is “unlawful”. 20 different states sued President Trump “on grounds that the charge damaged their ability to hire workers at public institutions.” A judge in Massachusetts agreed after hearing the case and argued that “the fee violated the separation of powers” (thepienews.com). The Trump Administration is expected to appeal the ruling, but the fee is paused for the time being.
From our world to yours, that’s the latest from international education this month. Hope you find time to watch a World Cup game or two, and be part of a global celebration of joy.
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