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| March 13, 2007 | Vol. 12, No. 10 |
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THIS WEEK IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION |
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Visionary Study Abroad Bill Introduced |
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UK Cuts Fees for International Student Visas |
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Study Explores Potential for "Degree Gap" in U.S. |
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ASSOCIATION NEWS |
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Download Workshop Schedule-at-a-Glance |
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Sign Up Now For April 11 Webinar |
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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE |
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Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates Endorses
Immigration Reform |
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DREAM Act Introduced in House and Senate |
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State Department Responds to Recent
Visa Recommendations |
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New Direct Filing Rules for Forms I-129 and I-539 |
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EVENTS AND DEADLINES |
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NAFSA Needs More Great Leaders |
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Space Still Available—Register for Washington Symposium |
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NAFSA Annual Conference Early-Bird Discount |
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THIS WEEK IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION |
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Visionary Study Abroad Bill Introduced
Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) introduced H.R. 1469, the Simon Study Abroad Act, named after the late Senator Paul Simon, whose vision inspired the creation and work of the Lincoln Commission. H.R. 1469 builds upon last year’s efforts in the Senate and offers a historic opportunity to widen access to high-quality study abroad programs, and to diversify their population and destinations. NAFSA was instrumental in bringing about this bill and fully supports the legislation.
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UK Cuts Fees for International Student Visas
The United Kingdom has reduced the visa fees it charges to international students.
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Study Explores Potential for "Degree Gap" in U.S.
A new study looks at the number of postsecondary education degrees the United States needs to keep up with international competitors.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS |
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Download Workshop Schedule-at-a-Glance |
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NAFSA is featuring a new tool this year to help with preconference workshop registration—the Interactive Workshop Schedule-at-a-Glance. Check out the schedule and register soon—workshops are filling quickly.
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Sign Up Now For April 11 Webinar |
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Preparing undergraduates for successful lives and careers today involves developing their global competence. Designed for those tasked with developing creative ideas for study abroad and with planning for internationalization within universities, NAFSA's first webinar of 2007 will focus on strategies other than traditional study abroad for achieving global competence. Register by April 10.
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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE |
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Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates Endorses
Immigration Reform |
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In Senate testimony on maintaining U.S. competitiveness, Microsoft’s Bill Gates advocates for immigration reform that eliminates the nonimmigrant intent requirement for international students, increases availability of H-1B visas, and expedites green card status for highly skilled workers. Gates’ remarks on immigration reform are on p. 9 of his testimony.
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DREAM Act Introduced in House and Senate |
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On March 6, Senator Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced the DREAM Act in the Senate after a similar bill, the American Dream Act (H.R. 1275), was introduced by Representative Berman (D-Calif.) in the House of Representatives on March 1. Both bills would provide a path to legal status for certain undocumented students while also allowing states to determine residency for in-state tuition.
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State Department Responds to Recent
Visa Recommendations |
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The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs sent a response to NAFSA regarding the recommendations contained in Realizing the Rice-Chertoff Vision: A National-Interest-Based Visa Policy for the United States, a document that NAFSA, along with a diverse coalition of organizations, released on January 31. NAFSA continues to dialogue with the State Department on these important efforts.
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New Direct Filing Rules for Forms I-129 and I-539 |
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Beginning April 2, 2007, Forms I-129 and I-539 must be filed according to new bispecialization filing rules for those forms.
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EVENTS AND DEADLINES |
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NAFSA Needs More Great Leaders |
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Deadline March 16, 2007. Nominations for elected volunteer leader positions including president-elect, vice president for public policy and practice, chairs-elect for the knowledge communities, and chair of the Membership Committee are being accepted. NAFSA depends on the work of volunteer leaders to advance the association. If you are ready to contribute to that effort, nominate yourself or a colleague to serve today.
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Space Still Available—Register for Washington Symposium |
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March 26-27, 2007. Participants in “The Rapidly Changing Landscape for International Education: Emerging Trends in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regions” will hear from and engage in discussion with thought-provoking speakers to consider the social, economic, political, and higher education trends in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, and their impact on U.S. international education.
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NAFSA Annual Conference Early-Bird Discount |
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Deadline April 20. Registration is open for the NAFSA 2007 Annual Conference & Expo in Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 27- June 1. Register now and save!
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NAFSA: ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS
1307 New York Avenue, NW, Eighth Floor | Washington, DC 20005-4701
1.202.737.3699 | FAX 1.202.737.3657 | data@nafsa.org
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