Letter to the Hon. Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security - Rep. John Lewis Opposes Student Visa Changes

Letter

Dear Mr. Acting Secretary:

I write to express my opposition to the recent modifications to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program that would negatively impact countless international students and higher education institutions in my congressional district and across the country.

Earlier this week, the administration announced changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program which would require program participants to leave the country if their institution offers only online classes in the fall 2020 academic term. As the news spread, I received desperate and concerned calls from alarmed constituents and educational institutions throughout Metro Atlanta. Amid unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, this policy unnecessarily creates uncertainty and mayhem as colleges and universities rush to reorganize curricula and campus life in order to protect the safety of students and faculty.

The Department's policy changes threaten the ability of students on F-1 and M-1 visas to continue their education at their current institutions. As many universities plan for online or hybrid learning this fall, this needlessly punitive proposal puts international students at risk of illness or deportation if they continue their education in the United States. The result could deter these individuals from pursuing studies in this country and will inevitably result in additional financial and travel challenges if institutions' operating statuses change mid-term.

Colleges and universities know that students from other countries are integral to their strength and competitiveness. Hundreds of thousands of international students come to campuses across America, playing critical roles in cutting-edge research and campus life. They also pay full-cost tuition, lowering costs for American students, and support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country each academic year. Many remain in the United States after graduation, start businesses, and create jobs.

For centuries, the United States worked to become an international leader in higher education. This administration should not undermine the hard-fought reputation, accessibility, and reliability of our highly esteemed higher education institutions. This irresponsible policy change threatens the viability and competitiveness of this vital sector and disrupts the immeasurable benefits a diverse education provides to international students, their American classmates, institutions of higher learning, and our nation's economy and global standing.

For these reasons, I urge you to rescind the changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program immediately. The Department should immediately reverse course and work with colleges and universities to ensure that the administration is not creating barriers to ongoing, desperate efforts to provide academic continuity and quality throughout the pandemic. As always, I appreciate your consideration of my views on this grave matter and strongly encourage prompt action.

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