We write to share several new developments: 

  • The House votes today on the bipartisan H.R.1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act in the House. The Presidents’ Alliance plans to send a letter of qualified support for S.386, its companion bill in the Senate, later this week.  
  • The Washtech case, which involves a legal challenge to Optional Practical Training (OPT), is moving forward. Higher education institutions have a powerful perspective in explaining the importance of OPT as part of the educational experience for international students.
  • A new SEVP factsheet on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) was released on July 1, which includes a more restrictive interpretation of what "integral part of an established curriculum" means. 
  • The latest on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—including new data and the scheduling of the oral argument for the consolidated DACA cases in the Supreme Court.  
  • Finally, next Tuesday, there will be a House oversight hearing on U.S. Citizenship Immigration and Services' (USCIS) ongoing processing delays across all product lines.

Last week, the Presidents’ Alliance joined an organizational letter supporting the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act of 2019, to be introduced shortly by Senator Blumenthal (D-CT), which would codify existing protections to prevent immigration enforcement at sensitive locations including colleges and universities, and also add courthouses to the list of sensitive locations. For the text of the letter, click here . The forthcoming introduction of the bill is especially timely given the renewed announcement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids (check out a previous update outlining resources for campuses).

Finally, the Alliance collaborated with FWD.us, the American Immigration Council, New American Economy, AILA, Niskanen Center, NAFSA, and other partners to participate in a high-skilled immigration Twitter town hall to answer questions regarding the importance of international students, OPT, duration of status, dual intent, and more.

For highlights from the town hall, check out this link .  Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

Thank you for your continued support.

Miriam Feldblum and Jose Magaña-Salgado
Executive Director & Director of Policy and Communications