[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 69 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, SCHOLARS AND THEIR FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2018

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the contribution that 
international students, scholars and their families make when we 
welcome them to this great country.
   Attracting international students makes our country better and is 
simply smart policy.
   To remain a global leader in STEM and in business, we need 
international students. They help America lead in technological 
innovation and scientific discoveries. Not only that, nearly one-
quarter of the founders of the ``billion dollar startups'' first came 
to America as international students.
   Our economy is stronger because of international students and their 
families that supported 450,000 jobs and contributed nearly $37 billion 
to the U.S. economy during the 2016-2017 academic year.
   In my home state of Rhode Island, international students supported 
almost 2,500 jobs and contributed over $235 million to the state 
economy in the same period.
   Cross-cultural exchange between international students and U.S. 
students creates mutual respect for cultural differences. In some 
cases, future U.S. and foreign leaders will have studied or conducted 
research together, creating even more direct diplomatic ties beneficial 
to national security.
   Unfortunately, fewer international students are applying to study in 
the U.S. The number of newly arriving international students declined 
in fall 2017--with 45 percent of campuses reporting drops in new 
international enrollment according to the Institute of International 
Education. In February, for the first time in over a decade, the 
Council on Graduate Schools reported that international graduate 
student enrollment went down last fall.
   The current administration continues to spread anti-immigrant 
rhetoric and propose extremist limits on travel and immigration to our 
country. Many international students now see the U.S. as less welcoming 
to foreigners than other countries. There is also uncertainty about 
whether they will be granted visas to go to school and to work here.
   This is truly a loss for our country because we are in a global 
competition to attract international talent. Our country's loss will be 
another's gain, as these students will go to school in Canada, 
Australia, China or another country that has more welcoming policies.
   The month of May is a critical time when international students must 
commit to their college or university of choice. Therefore, I would 
like to recognize the vital economic, academic and cultural 
contributions that international students make and to say you are 
welcome here.

                          ____________________