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IMMIGRATION POLICY ADVOCACY EFFORTS
(LAST UPDATE/REVIEW: May 2023)
Advocacy Campaigns: Learning About Advocacy
Step 1: Define Advocacy
Advocacy is the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.
Step 2: Stay Informed
One of the best things you can do is to stay informed! Here are some suggested immigration advocacy resources:
- Follow our Immigration Policy Updates page regularly for detailed information.
- Read our iStudent newsletters each week for important updates.
- Explore these Immigration Advocacy Efforts pages to learn more about what is being done and what you can do.
- Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/
- The Chronicle of Higher Education: https://www.chronicle.com/
- American Council on Education: https://www.acenet.edu/Pages/default.aspx
- President’s Alliance: https://www.presidentsalliance.org/
- Google News Alert: Set an alert for news stories related to “international students” or “immigration” and make time to read them!
Step 3: Learn About the Issues
There are always multiple immigration advocacy issues – find what you are passionate about! You may find it helpful to read about recent advocacy campaigns below:
- 06/24/2021: Presidents' Alliance Advocacy with House Judiciary Committee
- On June 24, the Presidents' Alliance provided a statement for the record at the House Judiciary Committee on Immigration and Citizenship Hearing regarding how outdated U.S. immigration policies push top talent to other countries.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) Program Advocacy
- 1/26/2021 Regarding Delays in USCIS Receipt Notices: Letter from The American Council on Education (ACE) and co-signed by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and numerous other educational associations to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the delays in receipting and adjudicating OPT applications
- Post- Election Considerations for the Biden Administration
- COVID-19 Advocacy: For the last two years, advocacy efforts have been focused on COVID-19 and the pandemic’s impact on the international student and scholar community. In particular, the Administration and Congress have been engaged to advocate on behalf of the international student community. To stay up to date, see ISPO’s Coronavirus Information page.
Step 4: Reach Out
- Contact ISPO for advice and information. We are here for you.
- Learn about Free Speech: UC San Diego supports student expression, rights and responsibilities to move toward positive, educational use of Free Speech. The pursuit of knowledge cannot be carried out without the ability to explore and express all ideas freely and openly. As part of this pursuit of knowledge, we encourage the UC San Diego community to keep learning about free speech and expression.
Step 5: Join in Advocating
Taking Action
Urge Congress to support international students and scholars by joining advocacy efforts. Reference our Advocacy Legislative Guide which highlights what your legislators can do and tips for how to communicate with your legislator. Contacting representatives is a good way to see change done, regardless of your status in the United States or situation.
Glossary
AAU – Association of American Universities
The Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education, and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.
ACE – American Council on Education
The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that organizes, mobilizes, and leads advocacy efforts that shape effective public policy and help colleges and universities best serve their students, their communities, and the wider public good. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions: two-year and four-year, public and private.
APLU – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The association's membership consists of 244 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations.
DHS – U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for maintaining data on international students who come to the United States to study. DHS's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) works both with international students and designated school officials (DSOs) at U.S. institutions of higher education that host international students. The Department also maintains a website with additional information called Study in the States.
DOS – U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State provides information about opportunities for study in the United States through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). In addition to offering information, ECA operates exchange programs that facilitate international student mobility, such as the Fulbright, Humphrey, and English language programs. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information about understanding the student visa process.
ICE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
As part of ICE, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) examines, deters and interdicts threats arising from the movement of people and goods into and out of the United States. With respect to international students, HSI established ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the web-based Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to collect, maintain and analyze information so that only legitimate nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors gain entry to the United States.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. NAFSA serves the needs of more than 10,000 members and international educators worldwide at more than 3,500 institutions, in over 150 countries.
USCIS - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the federal agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. We are a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Some of the services we provide include: citizenship, working in the U.S. and more.