AAU joined ACE and 37 other higher education associations in sending a letter to House and Senate leaders asking for support and legislation to assist displaced Afghan students and scholars. The letter outlines the efforts institutes of higher education are making to support talented Afghan students and scholars, including women, and encourages Congress to provide additional help.
Specifically, the letter asks Congress to: provide additional USAID funds to support Afghans on P-2 status who are currently in third countries; require the Department of Homeland Security to designate Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure; remove the non-immigrant intent for F-1, M-1, and J-1 student and scholar visa programs for Afghan students; and require U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to waive current rules around off-campus work for Afghanistan student visa holders. The letter also asks Congress to provide additional funding to process visas and green card applications and to consider all avenues of relief. “We look forward to working as closely as possible with the Administration and Congress to support displaced Afghans who wish to join the millions of international students and scholars who have contributed to the cultural and intellectual vibrancy of our campuses and to our national economic prosperity,” the letter states.