ACE and 50 other higher education associations sent a letter
(82 KB PDF) Tuesday to Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), John
F. Kelly, that offered assistance with the challenges the department
faces in connection with international students, faculty and scholars at
U.S. institutions of higher education.
The letter notes that the roughly one million international students
that attend U.S. colleges and universities add to this country’s
intellectual and cultural vibrancy, and they also yield an estimated
economic impact of $32.8 billion and support 400,000 U.S. jobs,
according to recent estimates.
It adds that international students, faculty and scholars have served
America well throughout the nation’s history and enrich campuses and
the country with their talents and skills. However, the letter also
notes that steps intended to protect national security may inadvertently
hamper these exchanges, potentially depriving the country of one of its
best tools for global scientific and economic preeminence and extending
democratic values and cultural understanding throughout the world.
“Unfortunately, even temporary restrictions can be damaging,” the
groups wrote. “President Trump’s executive order, ‘Protecting the Nation
from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,’ has created
uncertainty and fear across the country and on our campuses,
particularly among students, faculty and scholars from the affected
countries, as well as others who worry the restrictions may expand to
other countries.”
The letter adds that, “We are concerned about the problematic
implementation of the 90-day freeze on visas, such as cases of people
with valid visas being turned away. We fear the chilling effect this
will have on the ability of international students and scholars to
continue to see the U.S. as a welcoming place for study and research.”
Noting that the executive order contains language indicating that DHS
has some flexibility in implementing the order, the groups thanked
Secretary Kelly for “exercising that authority in the case of lawful
permanent residents (‘green card’ holders). We urge you to continue to
use this discretion whenever possible for students and scholars who
clearly pose no threat.”
The organizations wrote that they are eager to meet with Secretary
Kelly and his staff as soon as possible to discuss specific concerns
with the executive order and to help him and the department carry out
their duties.