[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I want to take a moment to highlight the 
benefits of international students and scholars who come to the United 
States to live and study and who have been unfairly penalized by the 
current administration's efforts to limit travel to our country.
  I wonder how many Americans are aware of the many ways that 
international students contribute to our colleges and universities, to 
our communities, and to our Nation. In economic terms, last year alone, 
international students contributed an estimated $37 billion to the U.S. 
economy and created or supported more than 450,000 U.S. jobs. In our 
State of Vermont, nearly 2,000 international students and their 
families contributed $83.1 million and supported 850 jobs. One would 
think that President Trump, who often touts his efforts to create jobs, 
would want to encourage this.
  In addition to economic benefits, international students and scholars 
advance U.S. national security by strengthening our diplomatic and 
cultural ties with foreign countries. Students and scholars who spend 
time in the U.S. become informal ambassadors when they return home, 
sharing an appreciation for common values, counteracting stereotypes 
about Americans, enhancing respect for cultural differences, and 
maintaining connections with our country and citizens.
  However, our country is at risk of losing our position as the most 
attractive country for international students and scholars and of 
ceding the critical benefits associated with such a reputation to 
others.
  The U.S. Council of Graduate Schools recently reported a decline in 
international graduate student applications and enrollment for fall 
2017, the first such decline in more than a decade. In fiscal year 
2017, the U.S. Department of State issued nearly 20 percent fewer 
student visas compared to the previous fiscal year. Students and 
scholars are increasingly uncertain about their status in our country, 
as well as the types of educational and research opportunities that 
will remain available to international students. This uncertainty and 
the chilling effects of recent executive orders targeting foreigners 
appear to be diminishing the ability of the United States and our 
higher education institutions to remain attractive to international 
students.
  At the same time, many other countries--including Australia, Canada, 
and China--are seizing the opportunity and proactively introducing 
national policies and marketing strategies to attract talented 
international students who might otherwise come here.
  I urge the administration to not ignore the many important 
contributions to the U.S. economy, national security, and global 
reputation that are made by international students and scholars. The 
administration should reconsider its policies that are contributing to 
uncertainly and reluctance among such individuals, who instead should 
feel welcomed and encouraged to bring their talents and other 
contributions to this country.

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