AIEA's Public Policy committee monitors and responds to policy issues impacting the internationalization of higher education in the world; regularly prioritizes policy issues to be addressed by the Association; and develops ways in which to address key policy issues, educate members on all levels of policy advisory, and inform policy issues. AIEA also works with the Alliance for International Exchange and the Coalition for International Education for U.S.-based advocacy.
Advocacy/Public Policy News
2025
AIEA Submits Public Comment Opposing proposed Rule Change for Duration of Status
With thanks to the AIEA Public Policy Committee, we joined thousands of colleagues across the sector in submitting a public comment strongly opposing the proposed U.S. Department of Homeland Security rule change forDuration of Status (view the final letter here). Additionally, we signed onto the American Council on Education’s letter on the same topic. Under the Coalition for International Education’s leadership, we also recently joined their sign on letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, regarding recent cuts and zero-ed out budget lines for HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs. We will continue to monitor critical policy and budget issues and exercise our advocacy voice on behalf of international education leaders.
2022
April 2022: Update from Alliance for International Exchange
On March 15, the President signed the $1.5 trillion FY22 omnibus spending bill into law. The omnibus includes a 6.7 percent increase for non-defense discretionary programs, the largest increase in four years. It funds educational and cultural exchange (ECE) programs at $753 million - a $12.7 million increase from FY21 enacted level, and an $11.7 million increase from the Biden Administration’s funding request. Additionally, the bill includes language which could help modernize consular operations through consideration of lessons learned from the pandemic and the feasibility of interview waivers, remote visa interviews, and other improvements. The Omnibus also provides funding for additional DOS personnel to eliminate backlogs and expedite Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (p. 1493) while the joint explanatory statement provides increased protection for threatened and displaced scholars through the Scholar Rescue program (p. 14). The Biden Administration has recently released its proposed budget for FY23. The request for ECE is the same as FY22 at $741.3 million. In other news, the Department of State released a proposed rule in December which, if enacted, would increase visa processing fees for students and exchange visitors by 53%. The Alliance collected input from our members and recently submitted a comment letter in opposition to the increased fees.
2021
June 28, 2021: AIEA co-signs letter from the Coalition for International Education to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies recommending funding for International Education and Foreign Language Studies (including HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays 102(b)(6) programs)
March 22, 2021: AIEA co-signs letter to U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security regarding international students and the Fall 2021 semester: ACE letter (.pdf)
2020
April 30, 2020: AIEA signs letter to Secretary Pompeo, Acting Secretary Wolf, and Secretary Scalia in response to the April 22 White House executive order regarding immigration during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as pressing issues for colleges and universities concerning the upcoming fall semester: ACE Letter (.pdf)
