US stakeholders set out international education wishlist as election result closes in

Sector leaders in the US have outlined what they’d like to see in the first 100 days of a new presidency as a tense election draws to a close.

Millions of Americans headed to the polls on Tuesday November 5 to vote for either Donald Trump – running for what would be his second Republican presidency – or current vice-president and Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.

It’s been a tense and at times wildly controversial campaign on both sides, with Trump surviving shootings at his rallies. However, the latest polling figures are showing Trump moving closer to a win.

It remains to be seen how the international education sector could fare under each candidate, although in an unexpected promise on the All-In podcast from immigration sceptic Trump, he promised all overseas graduates of US colleges green cards if he were to get into power again.

However, international students studying in the US – one of the most popular study destinations in the world – appear largely unbothered about who could take the White House, exhibiting what some experts are calling a “concerning” level of political cynicism.

The PIE News spoke to international education experts in the US to ask them what they’d like to see in the first 100 days of a new presidency – whoever the winner may be.

Ben Waxman, chief executive officer of Intead, told The PIE he’d like to see more scientific collaboration between the US and Canada, with the US’s three-year STEM OPT opportunities made available to international students graduating from Canadian STEM programs.

“Based on our and other’s research, international students employed in the US foster innovation (new patents) and overall job and economic growth. The more talent the US draws, the more the economy grows as US employers achieve more,” he said.

Meanwhile, NAFSA president LaNitra Berger said the organization would want to work closely with the next administration, regardless of the election outcome.

“In the first 100 days of the new administration – whichever one it is – NAFSA will continue to leverage its staff expertise, US for Success Coalition partners, grassroots advocates, and government relationships to champion policies that expand access to study abroad and make the US a welcoming destination for international students and scholars.”

She added: “NAFSA has a history of working with every administration, regardless of political affiliation, to further NAFSA values and policy goals and that will not change regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.”