Issues

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Do you know who your refugee students are? Mapping and understanding displaced students on U.S. campuses

On November 30th from 12 PM ET/9 AM PT, the Presidents' Alliance and Duolingo English Test hosted a webinar on the release of a new groundbreaking report on refugee students in U.S. higher education. Despite the increasing number of refugee students, both globally and in the U.S., there is a s... Continue Reading
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USCIS Increases Employment Authorization Document Validity to Five Years for Certain Categories: An Explainer

USCIS Increases Employment Authorization Document Validity to Five Years for Certain Categories: An Explainer On September 27, 2023, USCIS issued a policy alert extending the maximum eligibility period for certain Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”) and clarifying which noncitizens may... Continue Reading
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Letter Supporting Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Cameroon

Letter Supporting Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Cameroon The Presidents’ Alliance signed on to a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon. Such action provide critical humanitarian ... Continue Reading
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Webinar Recording and Resources – Opportunities to Connect to Refugee Students Overseas

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Presidents' Alliance hosted a one-hour webinar on "Opportunities to Connect to Refugee Students Overseas, co-sponsored by KenSAP, Syrian Youth Empowerment Initiative, and DuoLingo/UNHCR Advising. This webinar provided an overview of opportunities and effective ... Continue Reading
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Supporting Higher Education in Refugee Resettlement (SHERR) – Building capacity of US colleges and universities to engage in refugee resettlement.

The Presidents’ Alliance is a member of a consortium, led by World Learning and including ECDC and Welcome.Us, that has been awarded a capacity building grant focused on higher education engagement in refugee resettlement–how colleges and universities can work with resettlement agencies to provid... Continue Reading
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Statement for the Record for Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety Hearing on Immigration and Higher Education

On March 22, 2023, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration submitted a statement for the record for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety Hearing on Immigration and Higher Education hearing on “Living Up to America’s Promise: The Nee... Continue Reading
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Administrative Agenda for Immigration and Higher Education

As President Biden enters the third year of his presidency and our nation recovers from the human and economic impacts of the pandemic, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and our over 550 Presidents and Chancellors urge the administration to take the following ten immedi... Continue Reading
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Directory of Presidents’ Alliance Resources to Support Students of a Refugee Background

This page contains a list of all of the Presidents' Alliance's materials, including resources, advocacy tools, and best practices, to help institutions of higher education to support students of a refugee background. Student Outreach & Recruitment Offering Scholarships for Refugee Studen... Continue Reading
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Webinar: Uplifting Campus Resources: Effective Practices to Support Refugee Students in Higher Ed, PART 2: Building On Campus Support for Refugee Students

On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, the Presidents’ Alliance hosted a webinar, Uplifting Campus Resources: Effective Practices to Support Refugee Students in Higher Ed, PART 2: Building On Campus Support for Refugee Students. Uplifting Campus Resources: Effective Practices to Support Refugee Stu... Continue Reading
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Webinar: Limited Access: The Landscape of In-State Tuition for Displaced Students

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the Presidents' Alliance, along with Refugee Advocacy Lab, World Education Services (WES), and National Association of System Heads (NASH), hosted a webinar, Limited Access: The Landscape of In-State Tuition for Displaced Students. The webinar shared the finding... Continue Reading
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Webinar- Uplifting Campus Resources: Part 1: Refugee Student Enrollment & Leveraging Financial Resources

On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, the Presidents’ Alliance and co-sponsor Duolingo English Test hosted a webinar, Uplifting Campus Resources: Effective Practices to Support Refugee Students in Higher Ed, PART 1: Refugee Student Enrollment & Leveraging Financial Resources. This was part 1 of... Continue Reading
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Request Special Student Relief and TPS or DED for Pakistanis in the United States

The Presidents' Alliance co-wrote this letter to President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas to request Special Student Relief and TPS or DED for Pakistanis in the United States. Due to devastating flooding that left one-third of Pakistan underwater, over 100 organizations signed on to support a Senat... Continue Reading
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Understanding the Presidential Determination and the Role of Higher Ed Rebuilding of Refugee Resettlement

On September 8, 2022 the State Department and the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services transmitted the President’s Report to Congress on Proposed Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2023, recommending a refugee admissions target of 125,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to add... Continue Reading
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Statement for the Record for Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety Hearing on Immigration and Higher Education

On June 14, 2022, the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration submitted a statement for the record for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety Hearing on Immigration and Higher Education hearing on “Strengthening our Workforce and Economy ... Continue Reading
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Resources to Support International Students and Scholars from Countries Experiencing Violent Conflict and Humanitarian Crises

Policy Recommendations for USCIS: Supporting International Students and Scholars from Countries Experiencing Violent Conflict and Humanitarian Crises - We offer the following recommendations to support international students and scholars from countries experiencing violent conflict and humanitar... Continue Reading
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Ukrainian Students & Scholars: Policy & Campus Resources

Ukrainian Students & Scholars: Policy & Campus Resources The war in Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis have accelerated a call to action by colleges and universities to support refugees and displaced students worldwide. We strongly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The war... Continue Reading
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What the Biden Administration Can Do to Help our Afghan Fulbrighters and Other Exchange Visitors

Both executive and congressional actions are needed in order to provide safe, legal pathways for our Afghan allies who wish to pursue higher education opportunities in the United States. In particular, relief is needed for Afghan Fulbright scholars and other exchange visitors, both current and al... Continue Reading
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What Congress Can Do to Help our Afghan Fulbrighters and Other Exchange Visitors

Both executive and congressional actions are needed in order to provide safe, legal pathways for our Afghan allies who wish to pursue higher education opportunities in the United States. In particular, relief is needed for Afghan Fulbright scholars and other exchange visitors, both current and al... Continue Reading
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Helping Afghan Students Navigate the Visa Process

https://youtu.be/oBURfUrvMPc In this timely briefing, co-hosted by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and NAFSA: Association of International Educators, we heard from experts on how to help displaced Afghan students successfully navigate the visa process. With the inc... Continue Reading
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Briefing – University Sponsorship of Refugee Students: Initiative on Increasing U.S. Education Pathways for Refugee Students

https://youtu.be/hhfVZMOA7TY On December 2, the Presidents’ Alliance and its partners in the Initiative on U.S. Education Pathways for Refugee Students held a briefing to discuss our newly released report and recommendations on university sponsorship of refugee students. Since an inaugural str... Continue Reading
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Initiative on U.S. Education Pathways for Refugee Students: New Report and RESPONSE Campaign

We are proud to announce the release of a new report outlining recommendations for the U.S. to develop, implement, and sustain a university sponsorship program for refugee students and the launch of The RESPONSE Campaign: College and University Sponsorship of Refugee Students. You can find the... Continue Reading
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Managing Expectations: Supporting Afghan Scholars, Students, and Families

Managing Expectations: Supporting Afghan Scholars, Students, and Families Contributed by Dan Berger, member of the Presidents' Alliance Legal Advisory Council. Dan Berger is a partner with Curran, Berger, and Kludt Immigration Law. One of the hardest parts of immigration advising for Afghan cl... Continue Reading
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Directory of Afghanistan Advocacy and Resources

This page contains an overview of all of our Afghanistan-related materials. Due to the ongoing nature of this humanitarian crisis, we expect that our directory of resources will continue to grow. Advocacy Press Release Applauding Designation of TPS for Afghanistan Congressional Policy Br... Continue Reading
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Higher Ed Afghan Response and Advocacy: Action & Information Briefing

On September 9, 2021, the Presidents' Alliance held a briefing, Higher Ed Afghan Response and Advocacy: Action & Information Briefing. This briefing shared with campuses what is happening on the ground for Afghan refugees coming to the US, what is needed, and how campuses can engage. Refug... Continue Reading
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Fact Sheet: Higher Ed Afghan Response and Advocacy

This fact sheet summarizes opportunities for universities and colleges to assist Afghan students and scholars during this ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Continue Reading
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Legal Pathways and Resources for Afghan Students and Scholars

A summary of legal pathways and resources for Afghan students and scholars. This document was prepared in partnership with PennState Law Center for Immigrants' Rights Clinic and Curran, Berger, and Kludt Immigration Law. Continue Reading
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Template Letter for Institutions of Higher Education to Administration in Support of Afghan Students, Scholars, and Researchers DOS/DHS

The Presidents’ Alliance developed this template letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) in support of Afghan students, scholars, and researchers in light of the ongoing instability in Afghanistan. The administration, across administrative a... Continue Reading
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Letter Urging Secretaries Blinken and Mayorkas to Protect Afghan Students, Scholars, Researchers, and their Families

The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration writes to urge action to protect Afghan students, scholars, researchers, and their families seeking to come to the U.S., and those here in U.S. higher education institutions. Doing so will provide much-needed and well-deserved protectio... Continue Reading
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Webinar – Refugee Students on U.S. College Campuses: Resources for Campuses and Advocates

On June 23, 2021, the Presidents' Alliance and UARRM's Student Voices for Refugees hosted a webinar, Refugee Students on U.S. College Campuses: Resources for Campuses and Advocates. The webinar covered short-term solutions to address the barriers refugee students face to entering higher educatio... Continue Reading
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May 17 Launch Meeting: Initiative on U.S. Education Pathways for Refugee Students

On May 17, 2021, the Presidents' Alliance, along with other partners, hosted an inaugural strategy meeting on how to significantly increase refugee student access and entry into the U.S. to pursue higher education. The meeting marked the launch of an initiative to mobilize higher education leader... Continue Reading
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Letter from Coalition of Organizations to Secretary of State and HHS on University Sponsorship of Refugees

Letter from Coalition of Organizations to Secretary of State and HHS on University Sponsorship of Refugees March 9, 2021 The Honorable Antony Blinken U.S. Department of State Office of the Secretary Room 7226 Harry S. Truman Building 2201 C. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20520 Th... Continue Reading