Why We Need International Students

For decades, international students have enjoyed bipartisan support in the United States, with strong consensus that they fuel American innovation, job creation, and competitiveness. But in recent years, their access to U.S. colleges and universities has come under threat, and other nations are seizing the opportunity to bring in the world’s brightest students.

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Host
  • Gabrielle Sierra
    Director, Podcasting
Credits

Asher Ross - Supervising Producer

Markus Zakaria - Audio Producer and Sound Designer

Rafaela Siewert - Associate Podcast Producer

Episode Guests
  • Edward Alden
    Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow
  • Esther Brimmer
    James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance

Show Notes

In July, the Donald J. Trump administration enacted a new rule that would have forced international students to attend in-person classes amid the coronavirus pandemic, or face deportation. This led to a swift backlash from universities, educators, business leaders, and students. Though the rule was reversed, it follows a chain of actions that has sought to curb immigration to the United States. 

 

This episode examines the profound value that international students offer to the United States, and what the country will lose if it cedes its role as the premier destination for a good education. 

 

From CFR

 

Huawei: China’s Controversial Tech Giant,” Lindsay Maizland and Andrew Chatzky

 

How Are U.S. Colleges Dealing With Coronavirus?,” Anshu Siripurapu

 

U.S. Temporary Foreign Worker Visa Programs,” Claire Felter 

 

Beset by Crises, Universities Must Reassert Their Values,”  Foreign Affairs

 

Read More

 

U.S. Rescinds Plan to Strip Visas From International Students in Online Classes,” New York Times

 

How International Students Are Changing U.S. Colleges,” Wall Street Journal 

 

Trump’s Anti-Immigration Crusade Is About to Strike at the Heart of the U.S. Economy,” Edward Alden, Foreign Policy

 

New Data Shows Slowdown in Growth of International Students in the U.S.,” Foreign Policy

 

The Immigrant-Unicorn Connection,” Wall Street Journal

 

I’m the President of M.I.T. America Needs Foreign Students.,” New York Times

 

Foreign Student Enrollment At U.S. Universities May Plummet This Fall,” Forbes

 

Stranded International Students Are Sustaining U.S. College Towns,” Bloomberg Businessweek

 

After College, International Students Have To Leap Hurdles To Stay In U.S.,” NPR  

 

Warding off International Students Will Destroy US Jobs,” Medium

 

Watch or Listen 

 

Loss of international students will affect US education eco-system,” CNBC

 

US student visas: ‘We’re at the government’s mercy’,” BBC  

 

Trump Admin Backs Off Effort To Block Foreign Students From Living In US,”  MSNBC  

 

FBI Urges Universities To Monitor Some Chinese Students And Scholars In The U.S.,” All Things Considered

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