Bipartisan Coalition Urges Administration to Preserve International Student Visa Framework Critical to U.S. Innovation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Sam Liccardo (D-CA), ) Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) urged Secretary Mullin and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to preserve the current Duration of Status framework for international students, scholars, and exchange visitors on F-1 and J-1 visas.

The lawmakers warned that replacing the current framework with a fixed four-year admission period would create unnecessary delays, disrupt long-term research, and undermine America's ability to attract and retain top global talent in fields critical to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

In the letter, the members wrote that the current framework gives students and academic institutions the flexibility needed for "long-term study, research, and workforce development in the United States," particularly in STEM fields where doctoral programs often exceed six years. The lawmakers cautioned that nearly half of international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers surveyed said they would not have chosen to study in the United States if the country had a fixed admission period.

"International students play a key role in driving U.S. competitiveness in advanced manufacturing, medical research, and other emerging technologies," the members wrote. "If we evict them, they will return home to help foreign companies - in countries like China - compete against us."

The members also highlighted the economic stakes of the proposed change. International students contribute approximately $43 billion annually to local economies and support more than 355,000 American jobs across the country. The letter warns that if the United States experiences even a one-third decline in foreign STEM graduates, the country could lose 6 to 11 percent of its high-skilled STEM workforce and reduce U.S. GDP by $240 billion to $481 billion annually within a decade.

The members are urging the administration to preserve Duration of Status and maintain efficient visa processing policies that support students, scholars, universities, and the American innovation economy.

The full letter can be found here.