Proposed Student Visa Policy Could Hinder U.S. Competitiveness

than four years to graduate. Those reasons could range from pursuing more than one major to being involved in extracurricular activities or having family obligations.

For graduate students, it could be that the research they are doing has been delayed for some reason. In fact, the National Science Foundation reports that it takes an average of five years and 10 months to complete a doctorate.

The uncertainty over whether or not a degree could be completed within the time limits set by the proposed rule would further weaken the ability of the U.S. to attract global academic talent.

Visa Overstays By the Numbers
The proposed rule builds upon the Trump administration’s more than 400 attempts to reshape the U.S. immigration system through executive actions.

While a key argument used to justify the proposed changes is that people who overstay visas may endanger national security, the government estimates that just 1.52% of all international students and exchange visitors overstay. The actual rate may be even lower given that the government overestimates overstays because of a lack of capacity to properly record departures.

Close Tabs
International students and scholars are very closely tracked by their colleges and universities. While the proposed rule would add additional caseloads to an already overwhelmed government agency and a paper-based immigration system that the Department of Homeland Security itself describes as “outdated,” it may do little to prevent overstays. On the contrary, I believe the new rule may force some students to make the impossible choice between committing an overstay and abandoning their educational dream.

In June, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it faced a $1.2 billion shortfall. Over the next decade, DHS estimates the cost to implement the new rule will be as high as $2 billion. While filing fees for extension requests will help USCIS increase revenue, research shows that estimates for costs of compliance with a new regulation are often incomplete.

DHS predicts the higher education sector will lose $93 million during the first year of the rule and roughly $30 million each year thereafter because of staff time spent on training, implementation and supporting petitions for longer stays.

Other federal and state agencies, such as divisions of motor vehicles, as well as employers needing to reverify employment eligibility on a more regular basis, will face similar burdens.

In the end, I believe the economy will lose billions should the new restrictions further accelerate the decline in international enrollment.

Implications for U.S. Competitiveness
Global competition in science and technology is increasing.

Consider the rise of other nations in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and synthetic biology.

This has serious implications for economic and national security. Specifically, the most scientifically and technologically advanced nations tend to dominate global market share in innovative industries, as measured by leading companies, exports and foreign direct investments. They also have the most advanced military capabilities, ranging from autonomous unmanned vehicles to hypersonic and directed-energy weapons.

Additionally, some nations are using the current political climate to lure foreign talent away from the U.S.

The Role of International Students
International students play a critical role in helping the nation excel in science and technology.

Their enrollment helps universities continue to offer STEM majors and graduate programs. These majors and programs benefit U.S. students and employers.

Consider that 1 in 3 people with science and engineering jobs in the U.S. were born in another country. This includes more than half of all biomedical researchers and nearly a quarter of pharmaceutical manufacturing industry employees.

[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.]

While many international students leave the country after earning their degree, those who choose to stay provide a source of high-skilled talent that ensures our country remains globally competitive in science and technology.

David L. Di Maria is Associate Vice Provost for International Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore County.This article is published courtesy of The Conversation.