On February 14, Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) introduced the American Competitiveness Through International Openness Now (ACTION) Act of 2008 (S. 2653), also known as the ACTION Act.
The ACTION Act addresses many of the current challenges international students, scholars, scientists, exchange visitors and business travelers face when trying to study, conduct research, or attend scientific conferences in the United States.
Some of the bill’s highlights include:
* Establishes a U.S. government-led strategic plan to attract international students and scholars, as well as eminent scientists and exchange visitors to the United States.
* Removes the 214(b) non-immigrant intent provision for international students in the F visa category and allows for short-term study on B (tourist) visa.
* Adds greater certainty and transparency to the visa security clearance process for scientists and creates a “Trusted Traveler” program to allow for expedited visa review for frequent, low-risk visitors and for international students and scholars who have left the United States temporarily and are seeking a renewal to re-enter and continue their program.
* Amends Real ID provisions to allow legitimate international students, scholars, and exchange visitors to receive a driver’s license valid for the length of their approved activity.
* Provides "cap gap" status for international students who are changing from F-1 to H-1B status when the H-1B cap has been reached before the beginning of the next fiscal year.
Please take five minutes to urge your Senator to sign on as a bill cosponsor. Please personalize the same letter to provide specific examples of how your institution is losing out without these provisions in place. Specific examples demonstrating what your institution could/would lose out on are most impactful.
