Illinois universities are urging members of the state’s congressional delegation to address obstacles facing international students and scholars. More than 53,000 international students attended colleges and universities in Illinois during the 2018-19 academic year, contributing $1.9 billion to the state’s economy and supporting more than 25,000 jobs.
The group of nearly 30 public and private universities contends that changes to federal immigration policy and procedures are harming their efforts to recruit and retain international talent. In a letter to the delegation, university leaders cited concerns that include:
- Increasing delays and denials in processing entry visas.
- Processing delays for the Optional Practical Training program, which allows international students to obtain temporary employment in the U.S. that is directly related to their area of study.
- Increasing delays and denials in processing H-1B visas, which allow employers to hire foreign nationals on a temporary basis.
These delays can result in lost teaching time and slowed academic progress, and can discourage others who may be considering studying or pursuing research in the United States.
University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said, “International students and visitors enrich the academic experience for all students, while contributing to Illinois’ economy and competitiveness. As part of our mission of driving innovation and economic growth in Illinois, we are committed to bringing the best and the brightest from around the world to our state.”
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked fifth among U.S. institutions in the number of international students hosted in 2018-19, with 13,497. At the same time, the University of Illinois System remains committed to serving the people and state of Illinois. Approximately 80 percent of U of I System undergrads are Illinois residents, and 70 percent of U of I System students stay in Illinois after graduating.
Signatories to the letter include:
Timothy L. Killeen, President
University of Illinois System
Morton Schapiro, President
Northwestern University
Alan W. Cramb, President
Illinois Institute of Technology
Lisa C. Freeman, President
Northern Illinois University
Robert J. Jones, Chancellor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Michael D. Amiridis, Chancellor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Susan J. Koch, Chancellor
University of Illinois at Springfield
Elaine P. Maimon, President
Governors State University
Gary R. Roberts, President
Bradley University
David M. Glassman, President
Eastern Illinois University
Martin Abraham, Interim President
Western Illinois University
Larry H. Dietz, President
Illinois State University
John M. Dunn, Interim Chancellor
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Randall Pembrook, Chancellor
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
A. Gabriel Esteban, President
DePaul University
Zaldwaynaka Scott, President
Chicago State University
Ali R. Malekzadeh, President
Roosevelt University
Steven C. Bahls, President
Augustana College
Ivan Filby, President
Greenville University
David M. Gerlach, President
Lincoln College
Jo Ann Rooney, President
Loyola University Chicago
Nivine Megahed, President
National Louis University
Wendy Rheault, President and CEO
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Stephen D. Schutt, President
Lake Forest College
Eric W. Fulcomer, President
Rockford University
Philip Ryken, President
Wheaton College
Georgia Nugent, President
Illinois Wesleyan University
Patrick E. White, President
Millikin University
Charlene S. Aaron, Chancellor
St. John's College
