The letter, authored by Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE), and co-signed by a broad coalition of higher education associations, congratulates Secretary Marco Rubio on his confirmation as Secretary of State and highlights pivotal issues concerning the higher education sector. It emphasizes American higher education's crucial role as a national asset, underpinning economic growth, innovation, and national security through its diverse institutions and partnerships with both federal and state governments. The central concern presented is the timely processing of student visas, particularly F-1 and J-1 categories, given that over one million international students contributed more than $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023-2024 academic year. The letter points out recent challenges, such as delays and increased visa denials, that threaten the United States' ability to attract international students, and urges the State Department to implement measures—including interview waivers for certain applicants—to mitigate these issues and maintain the country's appeal to global talent.
Additionally, the communication recognizes the collaborative efforts between higher education institutions and the federal government in safeguarding national security, especially through measures like NSPM-33 aimed at preventing malign foreign influence while maintaining beneficial international academic exchanges. The signatories affirm their ongoing commitment to partnership, referencing past successful collaborations in the development of secure programs post-September 11 and expressing willingness to continue working with the State Department on matters related to student exchange, international research, and visa processes. The letter concludes by offering the expertise and support of the higher education community to Secretary Rubio and the administration as they address these critical areas.
