Blog

Advocacy

April 3, 2023

On March 8th, Dr. Odegbami joined colleagues from the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) to attend the virtual congressional meetings as part of Advocacy Day. Dr. Odegbami made three asks of both Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) [NY] and Rep. Brandon Williams (R) [NY-22]: 

1. Update immigration law to attract international student talent. Congress should:
   • Expand Dual Intent to F-1 Students 
   • Create a Direct Path to Green Card for International Graduates of U.S. Colleges and Universities
2. Co-sponsor the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act, soon to be reintroduced. 
3. Provide $855 million for the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and $173.6 million for the Education Department’s Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs.

Fun Fact!

In the 2021-22 academic year, international students contributed $276.1 million and supported 2.832 jobs in the NY-22 Congressional District.