Student visa curbs may hurt America’s innovation: US Congressmen

WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has urged the Trump administration to retain the existing visa framework for international students and scholars, warning that proposed restrictions could damage America’s technological edge, economic competitiveness and research leadership.

In a letter sent to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, four members of Congress cautioned against replacing the current “Duration of Status” system for F-1 and J-1 visa holders with a fixed four-year admission period.

The letter was signed by Representatives Sam Liccardo, Jay Obernolte, Maria Salazar and Raja Krishnamoorthi. The lawmakers said the current system provides flexibility for “long-term study, research, and workforce development in the United States,” especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes where doctoral studies often last beyond six years.

“International students play a key role in driving US competitiveness in advanced manufacturing, medical research, and other emerging technologies,” the lawmakers wrote. “If we evict them, they will return home to help foreign companies — in countries like China — compete against us.”

In their three-page letter, the Congressmen argued that a four-year cap would force many students to seek repeated visa extensions, leading to “unnecessary administrative burdens, processing delays, and disruptions to academic continuity”.

They also cited survey data showing that nearly half of international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers would not have chosen to study in the United States if such a fixed admission period had existed.

The letter stressed the economic contribution of foreign students to the US economy. International students contribute about $43 billion annually to local economies and support more than 355,000 American jobs, they said.

“Building American businesses, goods, and job pipelines requires a team of vetted international scholars, students, and citizens who share a commitment to protecting and expanding America’s economic and technological prowess,” the members wrote.