Advocacy campaign launched in a bid to resume US student visas

On May 27, the US government halted the scheduling of international student visa interviews at consulates around the world, as it prepared to expand its social media vetting of prospective students.

Now, two major groups in international education – NAFSA and the US for Success Coalition – have joined forces, urging congressional action. The groups say that with every day that passes, it becomes “increasingly difficult” for international students and scholars to arrive on US campuses before the start of the fall semester.

“If you believe in the power and promise of international education, this is the moment to speak out. Our students – future scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers – are waiting,” wrote NAFSA chief executive Fanta Aw in a LinkedIn post.

“This suspension comes at a peak time when at least 50% of new international students still need to schedule visa interview appointments in order to arrive in time for the fall semester,” she added.

NAFSA and the US for Coalition are therefore urging stakeholders to sign their name in order to convey to Congress that the suspension “jeopardizes the contributions international students and scholars make to every corner of the US and that visa appointments should resume immediately”.

The advocacy group also asks individuals to customize their message with specific examples of how this visa suspension is having a direct impact on their communities.

During a webinar on June 11, leading voices in international education spoke of the “tremendous damage” being done to the industry, as the ramping up of hostile government policies take hold on student interest.

As well as the administration’s ongoing suspension of visa interviews, its attacks on Harvard and a travel ban on 12 countries have caused international student interest to fall to its lowest level since mid-pandemic.