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