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NAFSA: Association of International Educators region II

State advocacy booklet

Working with state level legislators and leaders to advocate for international education

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NAFSA: Association of International Educators region II

Table of Contents

Project Vote Smart Page 2
Arizona Pages 4 and 5
Colorado Pages 6 and 7
Kansas Pages 8 and 9
Montana Pages 10 and 11
Nebraska Pages 12 and 13
New Mexico Pages 14 and 15
Utah Pages 16 and 17
Wyoming Pages 18 and 19
NAFSA Advocacy Tools Page 20

NAFSA: Association of International Educators region II

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Know your state legislator’s voting record. Project Vote Smart can provide you with your legislator’s record.
http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm

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Arizona

Governor
Janice K. Brewer
Website:
http://azgovernor.gov/
Contact Information:
The Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602.542.4331
Toll Free: 800.253.0883
Fax: 602.542.1381
To email the Governor:
http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp
Arizona Legislature
Website:
http://www.azleg.gov/
How to find/contact your legislators:
http://www.azleg.gov/alisStaticPages/HowToContactMember.asp
Frequently Asked Questions of the Arizona Legislature:
http://www.azleg.gov/alisStaticPages/FAQ.asp
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for Arizona (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/Arizona.pdf

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ARIZONA

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COLORADO

Governor
John W. Hickenlooper
Website:
http://www.colorado.gov/GOVERNOR
Contact Information:
The Honorable John W. Hickenlooper, Governor
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792
Telephone: 303.866.2471
To email the Governor:
http://www.colorado.gov/apps/oit/governor/citizen/assistanceUtility/welcome.jsf
Colorado Legislature
Website:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/
How to find/contact your legislators:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2011A/csl.nsf/directory?openframeset
Frequently Asked Questions of the Colorado Legislature:
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1200536135358
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for Colorado (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/Colorado.pdf

COLORADO house district map

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COLORADO Senate district map

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kansas

Governor
Sam Brownback
Website:
https://governor.ks.gov/
Contact Information:
Office of the Governor
Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave, Ste. 241S
Topeka, KS 66612-1590
Telephone: 877.579.6757
Local Telephone: 785.296.3232
TDD: 800.766.3777
To email the Governor:
https://governor.ks.gov/contact-the-governor/contact-governor
Kansas Legislature
Website:
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/
How to find/contact your legislators:
http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for Kansas (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/Kansas.pdf

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kansas house district map

kansas Senate district map

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montana

Governor
Brian Schweitzer
Website:
http://governor.mt.gov/
Contact Information:
Governor Brian D. Schweitzer Office of the Governor Montana State Capitol Bldg. P.O. Box 200801 Helena MT 59620-0801
Telephone: 406.444.3111
Fax: 406.444.5529
To email the Governor:
http://governor.mt.gov/contact/commentsform.asp
Montana Legislature
Website:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/default.asp
How to find/contact your legislators:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/find%20a%20legislator.asp
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for Montana (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/Montana.pdf

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montana

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nebraska

Governor
Dave Heineman
Website:
http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/
Contact Information:
Governor Dave Heineman
Lincoln Office/State Capitol
Office of the Governor
PO Box 94848
Lincoln, NE 68509-4848
Tel: 402.471,2244
Fax: 402.471.6031
Western Office
Office of the Governor
4500 Avenue I
PO Box 1500
Scottsbluff, NE 69363-1500
Tel: 308.632.1370
Fax: 308.632.1313
To email the Governor:
http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/mail/govmail.html
Nebraska Legislature
Website:
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/
How to find/contact your senator:
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for Nebraska (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/Nebraska.pdf

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nebraska

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New mexico

Governor
Susana Martinez
Website:
http://www.governor.state.nm.us/
Contact Information:
Governor Susana Martinez
Office of the Governor 490 Old Santa Fe Trail Room 400 Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tel: 505.476.2200
To email the Governor:
http://www.governor.state.nm.us/Contact_the_Governor.aspx
New Mexico Legislature
Website:
http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/
How to find/contact your legislator:
http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislatorsearch.aspx
Find your legislator by searching Name, District, or Zip code, then use the email address provided
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for New Mexico (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/New_Mexico.pdf

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New mexico

New Mexico House of Representatives District Map
New Mexico Senate District Map

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utah

Governor
Gary R. Herbert
Website:
http://www.utah.gov/governor/
Contact Information:
Governor Gary R. Herbert
Utah State Capitol Complex 350 North State Street, Suite 200 PO Box 142220 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2220
Tel: 801.538.1000
Fax: 801.538.1528
To email the Governor:
http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_governor.html
Utah Legislature
Website:
http://le.utah.gov/
How to find/contact your legislator:
http://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for Utah (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/Utah.pdf

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utah

Utah House of Representatives District Map

Utah Senate District Map

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wyoming

Governor
Matt Mead
Website:
http://governor.wy.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Contact Information:
Governor Matt Mead
State Capitol
200 West 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0010
Tel: 307.777.7434
Fax: 307.632.3909
To email the Governor:
http://governor.wy.gov/contactus/Pages/default.aspx
Wyoming Legislature
Website:
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/lsoweb/session/sessionhome.aspx
How to find/contact your legislator:
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/lsoweb/session/sessionhome.aspx
Utilize the links to find your senator or representative on this page
NAFSA Economic Impact Statement for Wyoming (2009-2010):
http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/Wyoming.pdf

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wyoming

Wyoming House of Representatives District Map

Wyoming Senate District Map

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NAFSA Advocacy tools

State Level Initiatives
http://www.nafsa.org/publicpolicy/default.aspx?id=8161
Download the NAFSA Advocacy Handbook
http://www.nafsa.org/resourcelibrary/Default.aspx?id=9084

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Advocating at the State Level (March 2011)
Information adapted from NAFSA’s Advocacy Handbook:
Issues in the forefront on a national level may also impact at the state level. Know that many of the same principals of federal-level advocacy can be applied at the state level:
Identify and Learn More About Your State Legislators
Access your state’s Web site (usually the URL is simply ‘the state name dot gov’) and click on “Government” or “Legislature” to identify and learn more about your state representative/delegate and state senator. Research their background and interests: Did any study abroad? What is their position on issues related to international education such as immigration reform, global engagement, and economic competitiveness? The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has a useful directory of state legislatures (see link below) to assist in locating information about your state legislature.
Know Your State Legislator’s Role
Much like with your federal representative and two senators, it is important to find out what key committees your state representative and senator sit on. Identify if either sits on major committees that address international education-related issues, such as the higher education, judiciary, workforce development, or appropriations committees. (Note that committee names will vary by state.) It also is helpful to learn who in the state legislature serves as chair of any/all relevant committees; he/she also should also be approached.
Get to Know Your Institution’s State Relations Officer
Like a federal relations officer, a state relations officer is someone who represents the institution’s interests before the state legislature. If there are state-level issues impacting international education and exchange, it is helpful to cultivate a good working relationship with your institution’s state relations officer.
Engage Your State Legislator
Many colleges and universities do not allow employees to speak on behalf of the institution; however, know that you can communicate with your state legislator as a private citizen and constituent. Like your federal representatives, your state representatives want to hear from constituents. Reach out to your representative to help educate them on these issues, or when an issue of concern arises. Each legislator has a website with contact information.
Online Resources:
National Conference of State Legislatures – State Legislative Websites Directory:
http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=17173
Project Vote Smart – State Information:
http://www.votesmart.org/mystate_summary.php
NAFSA’s Grassroots Leadership Program – Deadline to apply fast approaching:
http://www.connectingourworld.org
NAFSA’s State Level Initiatives Clearinghouse:
http://www.nafsa.org/statelevel

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Immigration Reform at the State Level
This year a majority of U.S. state legislatures are likely to consider passing restrictive immigration laws. This is occurring because people, frustrated by the failure of the federal government to fix the broken immigration system, are turning to their state capitols for laws that meet their local needs.
Unfortunately for international education, state and local level immigration policy discussions do not consider the impact that a patchwork of harsh and punitive state immigration laws will have on the ability to attract the best and brightest foreign students, scholars, researchers, and others to U.S. higher education institutions. These talented individuals are critical to maintaining vibrant campuses that offer the best educational opportunities for Americans. Without foreign talent on our campuses, Americans will not receive the education they need to prepare them for the global community and workforce they will enter when they graduate.
Furthermore, the benefits of international education extend beyond the higher education community. NAFSA’s members share a belief that international education advances learning and scholarship, builds understanding and respect among different peoples, and enhances constructive leadership in the global community. We believe that international education by its nature is fundamental to fostering peace, security, and well-being.
These beliefs cannot be put into action without a welcoming immigration system. Our dedication to promoting educational exchange, which U.S. national leaders have consistently stated is vital to the national interests of the United
States, will be obstructed if piecemeal, state-by-state immigration law becomes a reality.
In practice, state-level anti-immigrant laws harm states and their citizens. These laws interfere with law enforcement duties, fracture trust between policy and immigrant communities, and make immigrants reluctant to come forward with information pertaining to crimes. Economic growth is hampered as business investors and visitors question whether the state will be welcoming to immigrants.
Because potential damage to be caused by a patchwork of state immigration laws, NAFSAns and others must be prepared to engage in the immigration reform debate at the state level. We all must help decision makers understand the impact ill-conceived state immigration laws will have on our communities and our ability to provide the best educational opportunities on U.S. campuses. We must also be prepared to discuss the local and global impact of international education.
What NAFSA can do: NAFSA does not have the resources to engage in state-by-state immigration battles. What we can do is provide guidance to assist NAFSA members as they educate leaders on their campuses and in their local communities on the importance of a fair and functioning immigration system to advancing international education and exchange.
To that end, NAFSA seeks to provide a series of resources for NAFSA members to use to advocate on their campuses and their communities. This first resource seeks to provide an underpinning for the belief that fate of international education is linked to immigration reform.
NAFSA supports immigration reform because international education depends on a fair and equitable immigration system. NAFSA believes:
Immigration is a federal matter.
U.S. public diplomacy strategies cannot be effective if unwelcoming immigration laws are enacted in this country.
A patchwork of immigration laws throughout the country will negatively impact international student and scholar recruitment.
The ultimate remedy for state-level disputes over immigration law is enactment of federal immigration reform legislation.
Transferring federal immigration responsibilities to the states will divert increasingly limited funding away from fighting crime.
State-based immigration enforcement will undermine the trust between police and communities, making immigrants reluctant to come forward with information pertaining to crimes negatively impacting public safety.
State immigration enforcement will lead to more racial profiling.
There are fundamental rights that every person present in the United States possesses regardless of immigration status.
The situation faced by many undocumented immigrants in the United States is largely the result of broken and outdated immigration laws that are incongruous with the country’s need–and US employers’ desire–to attract them to work here.
International educators are gravely concerned about the potential impact on critical international partnerships such as those with institutions in Mexico.
International students who have come to study at U.S. universities have made enormous contributions to gains this nation has made in technology, medicine,
and many other academic areas critical to our nation’s defense and economic prosperity.
Responsible academic studies have repeatedly demonstrated that immigrants bring economic benefit to the United States.
Annually, NAFSA calculates the economic impact of international students and their dependents on the U.S. economy. During the 2009-2010 academic year, NAFSA estimates that international students and their dependents contributed approximately $18.8 billion to the U.S. economy.
NAFSA will continue to provide resources for international education advocates to support immigration reform. We also seek your input on what will be helpful to you. Please email us at govrel@nafsa.org to provide your suggestions.

The Honorable Jan Brewer Governor of Arizona 1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007

STATE	IN SESSION*
Alabama	March 1 – June 13
Alaska	January 18 – April 17
Arizona	January 10 – April 21
Arkansas	January 10 – April 1
California	January 3 – September 9
Colorado	January 12 – May 12
Connecticut	January 5 – June 8
Delaware	January 11 – June 30
District of Columbia	January 4 – December 31
Florida	March 8 – May 6
Georgia	January 10 – April 1
Hawaii	January 19 – May 1
Idaho	January 10 – March 25
Illinois	January 12 – May 31
Indiana	January 5 – April 29
Iowa	January 10 – April 30
Kansas	January 10 – April 30
Kentucky	January 4 – March 22
Louisiana	April 25 – June 23
Maine	December 1, 2010 – June 1
Maryland	January 12 – April 11
Massachusetts	January 5 – January 2, 2012
Michigan	January 12 – December 1
Missouri	January 5 – May 30
Mississippi	January 4 – April 2
Montana	January 3 – April 22
Nebraska	January 5 – June 8
Nevada	February 7 – June 6
New Hampshire	January 5 – June 1
New Jersey	January 12, 2010– January 12, 2012
New Mexico	January 18 – March 19
New York	January 5 – June 1
North Carolina	January 26 – June 1
North Dakota	January 4 – April 27
Ohio	January 3 – December 31, 2012
Oklahoma	February 7 – May 27
Oregon	January 10 – June 1
Pennsylvania	January 4 – November 30
Rhode Island	January 4 – June 30
South Carolina	January 11 – June 2
South Dakota	January 11 – March 28
Tennessee	January 11 – May 31
Texas	January 11 – May 30
Utah	January 24 – March 10
Vermont	January 5 – April 30
Virginia	January 12 – April 6
Washington	January 10 – April 24
West Virginia	January 12 – March 12
Wisconsin	January 3 – December 1, 2012
Wyoming	January 11 – March 3