EnglishUSA sets out lobbying priorities, including visas and sector data

During the opening address of the EnglishUSA Annual Conference 2024 in Alexandria, VA, recently, Daryl Bish, the President of EnglishUSA , highlighted the priority recommendations, which have been approved by the Board, will be advocacy areas of focus for coming years.

The first priority is for the Department of State to provide “greater clarity, predictability and consistency” to resolve visa processing issues and adjudication protocols.

“A large number of F-1 students are facing excessively long interview wait times, and high visa denial rates, specifically for English language programs. These students are seeking English language training in the U.S. to further their academic, professional, and personal goals and have been accepted into accredited and SEVP-approved schools,” EnglishUSA said.

Clarity of visas is a key request for EnglishUSA.

In a related request, EnglishUSA is urging new consular officer guidance that study on English language programs in the USA is not a reason to refuse a student visa application, and also that language student applicants for F-1 visas be able to conduct an interview in their primary language.

EnglishUSA also called for language training students to be included in the annual SEVIS by the Numbers report from the Department of Homeland Security, which currently outlines the number of active visa holders in higher education, vocational study, and secondary schools.

“The omission of English language training students from SEVIS by the Numbers impedes understanding of this category of student and how they relate to overall trends in F & M student visa numbers for the year,” the association said.

They also called for reports on entry/exit overstay rates to include country and education level to help language schools be aware of potentially fraudulent applications.

EnglishUSA is also urging for resources to be provided for all states in the USA to be represented by Study State Consortia. Currently, 15 states do not have such representation, which means competitiveness is hindered, the association said.

In the foreword to the recommendations, the EnglishUSA Board highlighted that English language programs contributed more than US$1.7 billion to the economy in 2023, according to the association’s latest annual research, and that members provide preparation for university students as well as short-term study opportunities.

“Advancing international education priorities in the U.S. includes policies and regulations that support English language study in the U.S. This support requires a dedicated commitment through administrative and congressional action,” EnglishUSA said.

Advocacy was one of the key themes at EnglishUSA’s recent Annual Conference, which included sessions by fellow international education associations representatives.

In a session on Advocacy Updates and Impact on ELPs, Rachel Banks, Senior Director for Public Policy & Legislative Strategy at NAFSA Association of International Educators , highlighted priorities including ‘dual intent’ for F-1 student visa applicants and a clearer path to residency for international graduates.

Panelists recommended that schools should highlight the positive impact of English language students on the local communities and economies in their lobbying to local politicians and policymakers.

There was also a special session on the U.S. for Success Coalition, which was established last year by a group of associations and industry stakeholders to “more effectively attract a greater and more diverse population of international students and ensure their success”.

Jill Allen Murray, Deputy Executive Director, Public Policy at NAFSA, and Jill Welch, Senior Policy Advisor at the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, spoke on victories to date, the goals of the organization, the push for a coordinated national strategy on international education, and the need for advocacy in the aftermath of the forthcoming presidential election, regardless of the outcome.

A session at the EnglishUSA Annual Conference 2024 in Alexandria.

On the issue of visa denials, panelists referred to NAFSA’s Survey on Visa Denials, where industry stakeholders can report about denials. Contributions towards the survey will help to build an evidence base to support lobbying efforts.