UPCEA and 46 other higher education associations sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly on maintaining the United States as the destination of choice for the world’s best students, faculty and scholars. The letter was written in response to President Donald J. Trump’s executive order, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.”

The letter notes that the roughly one million international students that attend U.S. colleges and universities add to this country’s intellectual and cultural vibrancy, and they also yield an estimated economic impact of $32.8 billion and support 400,000 U.S. jobs, according to recent estimates. It adds that international students, faculty and scholars have served America well throughout the nation’s history and enrich campuses and the country with their talents and skills.

However, the letter also notes that steps intended to protect national security may inadvertently hamper these exchanges, potentially depriving the country of one of its best tools for global scientific and economic preeminence and extending democratic values and cultural understanding throughout the world.

Click here to read the full letter.