US for Success Coalition Outlines Priorities for the Next Administration
The multi-sector coalition, established a year ago to promote policies supporting international student success in the United States, has grown to include over 40 education organizations, think tanks, and advocacy groups.
“We’re proud of the progress made in our first year and believe that partnerships are vital, particularly in today’s politically uncertain climate," stated Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA and a member of the coalition's executive committee. "Recent shifts in other major destinations underscore the need for coordinated national policies centered on student success.”
The coalition praised the Department of State for extending the visa interview waiver policy to reduce delays in interview wait times and processing. It also urged the next US administration to prioritize diversifying and increasing international student enrollment, modernizing government processes, and improving interagency coordination.
Over the past year, the coalition has campaigned for equitable visa policies, particularly addressing the high denial rates for African students. This effort included a campaign generating over 1,300 messages to Congress and a letter from eight US senators to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, advocating for clearer standards in student visa adjudications.
The coalition’s executive committee has expanded to include prominent members such as IIE, ETS, NAFSA, Shorelight, and the Presidents’ Alliance.
“Although the aspiration for a US education remains strong, visa challenges are increasingly obstructive,” said Tom Dretler, CEO of Shorelight. “As other countries present competitive alternatives, the US must develop a national strategy for international education.”
Currently, the US lacks a national strategy for international education, a gap highlighted in a March 2024 IDP report. This report revealed strong support from US educators for such a strategy to enhance the sector’s global competitiveness. Key priorities included creating pathways for international students to contribute to the US workforce after graduation—a focus area for the coalition ahead of the 2025 Congress.
“When international students thrive, everyone benefits,” the coalition emphasized. It pledged continued collaboration with higher education institutions to diversify the international student population in the US. Success, it stated, would enable the US to offer exceptional educational experiences, integrate global talent into the economy, and capitalize on the billions international students contribute.
A recent report stressed the growing urgency for US institutions to attract a more diverse pool of international students to sustain financial stability and provide high-quality education amidst global challenges such as border closures and currency fluctuations.
While the coalition advocates for growth in the US international student population, other major destinations like Canada and Australia are considering caps on study permits. Fanta Aw noted that international students currently comprise just over 5% of higher education enrollment in the US, a figure that could feasibly double to 10%.
Throughout its first year, the coalition has championed inclusivity, encouraging the Department of Homeland Security to adopt policies recognizing international students as vital to national security, global competitiveness, and innovation.
Looking ahead, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to counter threats that could hinder the US's ability to compete and cooperate on the global stage.
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