Presidents’ Alliance Applauds H-1B Visa Ruling

PRESIDENTS’ ALLIANCE APPLAUDS H-1B VISA RULING
Federal district court vacates Trump-era H-1B rule that would have increased barriers for international student alumni seeking H-1B visas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2021
CONTACT: Jose Magaña-Salgado (jose@presidentsalliance.org) 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Presidents’ Alliance, a coalition of over 500 college and university presidents, lauds this week’s order by federal district court Judge White that vacates a Trump-era rule that would have enacted significant barriers for international student alumni to apply for and receive H-1B status. The district court’s order also specifically cited the declaration of Miriam Feldblum, the Executive Director of the Presidents’ Alliance, in holding that colleges and universities had standing and could bring the legal challenge (page 6). You can read more about the decision at Forbes and the text of the decision here.

Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of the Presidents’ Alliance, stated: “We are gratified that the Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B wage prioritization rule has been vacated by Judge White’s order. The recruitment, admission, and post-graduate success of a diverse group of international students are core to the academic missions and diversity goals of colleges and universities across the country. International student alumni of U.S. colleges and universities contribute intellectually, economically, culturally to communities. They create jobs, spur technological innovation, and advance medical discovery. If implemented, the changes to the H-1B lottery rule would have created new and unreasonable obstacles for international students and alumni, deterring these populations from coming to our institutions to pursue learning, study, research and work. Now, more than ever, U.S. higher education and our nation cannot afford to turn away talent, devalue diversity, or impede innovation.”

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The nonpartisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. We work to advance just, forward-looking immigration policies and practices at the federal, state, and campus levels that are consistent with our heritage as a nation of immigrants and the academic values of equity and openness. The Alliance is composed of over 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 43 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.