ISSUES

CEOs, college execs summit to call for immigration overhaul – Associated Press


Two Presidents’ Alliance members recently participated in the New England Business Immigration Summit, an event co-sponsored by the Presidents’ Alliance. You can read the full article from the Associated Press here and see excerpts of their comments below.

The northern New England states of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire face “strong headwinds” that can only be reversed by an infusion of new residents and immigrants, argued David Greene, president of Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

The country also needs to address delays and extended wait times for visas, as well as create more opportunities for international students to remain in the country for work, said Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow.

Colleges and universities have seen consecutive years of declining enrollment from international students in part because of the nation’s outdated immigration policies, he said.

“We’re at a critical turning point,” Bacow said. “We’re saddled with immigration laws that have not been revised in 30 years.”