Trump Visa Policy Changes Could Have Broad Consequences for Science

["Dave Farber" <farber () gmail com>]

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> From: FYI <fyi () aip-info org>
> Date: July 14, 2017 at 6:46:24 PM EDT
> To: farber () central cis upenn edu
> Subject: Trump Visa Policy Changes Could Have Broad Consequences for Science
> Reply-To: FYI <re-1ZJN-51UKI-E29DH7-C0BWP () aip-info org>
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> Number 96: July 14, 2017
> Trump Visa Policy Changes Could Have Broad Consequences for Science
> The Trump administration has made and is considering several immigration policy changes that could have broad 
> implications for the U.S. scientific research enterprise.
> The federal government has begun implementing new visa screening procedures to implement President Trump’s calls for 
> the “extreme vetting” of travelers and immigrants to the U.S. Many scientific societies and universities have 
> expressed their concerns that such changes, alongside the administration’s efforts to restrict entry to travelers 
> from certain countries, would prove detrimental to American science and engineering.
>   
> Meanwhile, the Trump administration is considering pursuing additional changes to the nation’s immigration system 
> that would also have significant implications for international students and scientists. These include requiring 
> students to reapply for visas each year, overhauling the H1-B visa program, and pushing for a merit-based system for 
> allocating visas to those seeking permanent residence in the U.S.
>
> President Trump signing an executive order at the Department of Homeland Security (Image credit – White House)
>       
> Administration ramps up rollout of new visa vetting policies
>       
> This May, the State Department received approval to use a more extensive visa application questionnaire that requests 
> social media account names and additional biographical information from applicants. The form notes that although 
> providing this information is voluntary, withholding it could delay or prevent processing of the application.
>       
> In its explanation of the change, the State Department said the supplementary form will be issued to “immigrant and 
> nonimmigrant visa applicants who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or 
> other national security-related visa ineligibilities.” The administration approved use of the form for six months, 
> although this period could be extended.
>       
> More recently, Reuters reported on July 13 that the department will start requiring countries to provide more 
> extensive data as part of the visa review process. Countries that do not take steps to provide the data may face 
> travel sanctions.
>       
> Such measures may lead overall visa processing times to increase. Indeed, on June 21, Trump rescinded a portion of a 
> 2012 executive order by President Obama that established goals for visa processing time. The Obama order had directed 
> agencies to develop a plan to “ensure that 80 percent of nonimmigrant visa applicants are interviewed within 3 weeks 
> of receipt of application,” with exceptions for security and resource constraints.
>       
> Societies respond to vetting expansion
>       
> In addition to their strong opposition to the “travel ban” executive order, which the Supreme Court allowed to take 
> partial effect before the court considers it this fall, a group of scientific societies has raised concerns about the 
> State Department’s expanded visa application questionnaire:
>     
> “We appreciate and support the need to secure our nation and its citizens from individuals who seek to do us and our 
> interests harm. But we caution that this security need should be balanced with the need to remain open to those 
> pursuing academic study and scientific research. ... The notice, as proposed, is likely to have a chilling effect not 
> only on those required to submit additional information, but indirectly on all international travelers to the United 
> States.”
>
> Their May 18 letter to the department goes on to warn that the expanded information collection could lead to visa 
> processing delays absent increases in consulate staff and could seriously impact future scientific collaborations. 
> The presidents of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine expressed similar concerns in a 
> separate letter.
>       
> The scientific society letter also points out that several international scientific organizations have already 
> proposed boycotting or halting scientific meetings in the U.S. One such organization is the International Union of 
> Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), which will decide at its general assembly meeting in October whether to support any 
> conferences in the U.S. in 2018.
>       
> Scientific organizations have long been involved in efforts to reform U.S. immigration policy in ways that balance 
> security concerns with the benefits that come from the freer flow of students and scholars. In the wake of the 9/11 
> terrorist attacks, visa processing times increased significantly for several years due to enhanced security measures. 
> Scientific societies and others worked to raise the issue of scientist visa delays with the administration and reduce 
> processing times.
>       
> Several organizations provide resources to help scientists navigate the visa application process. For example, the 
> American Physical Society’s International Affairs program maintains a website that provides resources for visa 
> applicants. The National Academies’ International Visitors Office collects data on scientists and students who 
> encounter visa issues and works to resolve delays.
>       
> Administration considering further policy changes
>  
> On July 10, the Washington Post reported that the Department of Homeland Security is contemplating requiring foreign 
> students to reapply each year for permission to remain in the U.S. DHS spokesman David Lapan told the paper,
>  
> “DHS is exploring a variety of measures that would ensure that our immigration programs — including programs for 
> international students studying in the United States — operate in a manner that promotes the national interest, 
> enhances national security and public safety and ensures the integrity of our immigration system.”
>       
> The article also quotes Pedro Ribeiro, a spokesman for the Association of American Universities, who called the 
> proposal “both a policy and logistical nightmare” and said that it would have “a tremendous chilling effect on 
> students who would have to spend more time doing paperwork than studying.”
>  
> The U.S. higher education system currently attracts a large number of international students. Many pursue degrees in 
> science and engineering (S&E) fields, particularly at the graduate level.
>
> Data from the 2016 Science and Engineering Indicators. Numbers include active foreign national students on F-1 visas 
> and exclude those in the Optional Practical Training program.
>    
> According to a June report by DHS, just under 514,000 international students were pursuing STEM degrees in May 2017, 
> an 8 percent increase over May 2016.
>    
> The administration could also seek to modify the Optional Practical Training program, which allows international 
> students to stay in the U.S. after graduation to work for a period of time. The number of STEM graduates using this 
> program has increased considerably in recent years, after the Bush and Obama administrations extended their permitted 
> duration of stay.
>
> Figure from the Congressional Research Service report “Temporary Professional, Managerial, and Skilled Foreign 
> Workers: Policy and Trends.” (Image credit – CRS)
>  
> The administration is also considering policy changes that would affect the immigration of workers with technical 
> skills. In an April 18 executive order, President Trump directed a review of the H1-B visa program, which 
> organizations use to hire high-skill foreign workers. The order directs agencies to “suggest reforms to help ensure 
> that H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid petition beneficiaries.”
>  
> Critics of the H1-B program claim that certain information technology companies have abused the visa allocation 
> system. Some also argue that the program displaces American workers.
>  
> The administration could make some modifications to the H1-B program unilaterally, but major changes, such as 
> altering the number of visas permitted, would require legislation. This year, several H1-B reform bills have been 
> introduced in Congress.
>  
> In addition, Trump may also push to overhaul the system by which immigrants obtain permanent residence in the U.S.
>  
> On July 12, Politico reported that the administration is working on a legislative proposal that would halve the 
> number of legal immigrants allowed into the country each year by 2027 and implement a merit-based system that would 
> favor highly skilled immigrants. The article notes that one aspect of the proposal is that it would increase the 
> number of green cards that are “granted on the basis of merit to foreigners in a series of categories including 
> outstanding professors and researchers, those holding advanced degrees, and those with extraordinary ability in a 
> particular field.”
> Contact the Author
>
> Mitch Ambrose
> American Institute of Physics
> mambrose () aip org
> (301) 209-3095
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