Dear Senator Cantwell, Senator Murray, and Representative DelBene,
Two of my children are college students and they both have friends who are international students. This new policy negatively affects international students in obvious ways. What if their home country does not have good internet access? What if the cost of extra international flights makes it impossible for them to continue their education?
Most international students return to their countries after graduation, taking with them not only the knowledge gained during their studies but more importantly, a love and appreciation for our country that can help improve international understanding and relations. They become de facto (and free!) ambassadors. That benefit may not be tangible, but it is real, which I know personally from having studied in a foreign country for a year.
As for American students, they will lose out, too, with this new policy. They will learn less about other cultures and peoples. Their community will be less diverse and less rich. In addition, with this policy in place, other countries may close their doors to our students. I believe that living in a foreign country not only opens one’s eyes to the amazing aspects of another culture and people, but it can also give an even better appreciation for our own country than a brief tourist visit can ever hope to accomplish.
I sincerely hope you can help reverse this detrimental policy before any harm is caused.
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