The U.S. House Subcommittee on Research and Science Education heard recommendations last week for easing the visa process for foreign students and scholars in the first hearing of its subject since 2004, Inside Higher Education reports.  Foreign student enrollment in U.S. institutions has increased by 3.2 percent in the past year and for foreign cities known for sending large numbers of students to the U.S. , like Beijing and Mumbai, the number of student visas processed in 2007 grew by 38 and 55 percent, respectively, over 2006.   

Among the suggestions from panelists of improving the student visa process was the need for the State Department to reissue visas domestically rather than require student and scholars to leave the country for renewal.  "We cannot overemphasize the fear that people have in returning home or outside the U.S. to have their visa stamped," said Catheryn Cotton director of the international office for Duke University and Medical Center .  "Once they arrive here, they are very frightened to go back.  They’re afraid that this time, they won’t get their visa stamped."  

Committee members repeatedly lamented that the issue of improving the visa system for foreign students and scholars often gets tied up in the immigration debate.  Committee chairman, Rep. Brian Baird, acknowledged that many representatives on the panel seemed frustrated by the status quo-despite the State Department’s reported progress.  Acknowledging that the federal government has made progress, Baird stressed the importance of the panel to "hear constructive criticisms for improvement."   

Acknowledging that perceptions of a burdensome visa process and sometimes humiliating border crossing experience have hurt the United State’s ability to attract foreign students, committee members consistently returned to the point that even one traumatic incident at airport security can cause sever harm to the United States’ reputation.  "One anecdote circulates rapidly and widely and tarnishes an entire image," said Allan Goodman, chairman of the Institute of International Education .  

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A Virginia house bill designed to prohibit undocumented immigrants from attending Virginia’s public colleges and universities has moved on to the Senate, but with significant changes.  The Richmond Times reports that the bill received an amendment that would allow certain undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition benefits if they reside in the state, are in good legal standing, and are actively working toward citizenship, among other restrictions.  The amended bill is expected to meet with strong legislative resistance, which has generally been opposed to leniency for undocumented immigrants.   

State officials estimate that as many as 1,000 undocumented immigrants attend the state’s public schools.  Several public universities do not check legal residence in the U.S. before allowing enrollment, according to a survey by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia .  Each school sets its own policy on admitting undocumented immigrants, as do the state’s 23 public community colleges, which are roughly split—12 indicating they permit enrollment and 11 that prohibit it.   

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Undocumented immigrants would not be able to receive a proposed state-issued card that allows them to drive and buy insurance, under a measure approved this month by the Utah House, The Associated Press reports.  The bill, sponsored by Rep. Glenn Donnelson, was introduced as a safety measure to national security and a deterrent to immigration to Utah .  "With the driver privilege card, we do not know who they are," Donnelson said.  "Are they terrorists?  We don’t know."  

A recent state audit showed the number of Utahns possessing a card continues to rise, and three-quarters of cardholders have insurance since the state ID card was introduced two years ago.  The negative response stems from what the state perceives as the US Congress failing to address the issue.  "Do we want to continue the vacancy sign at our state borders?" said House Majority Leader Dave Clark.  "If Congress is unwilling to resolve this, by golly, I guess we’ll have to do it."  

In response, Utah ’s Roman Catholic, Episcopalian and Methodist leaders released a letter Monday, asking Gov. Jon Huntsman and top lawmakers to treat undocumented immigrants with compassion.  "We would like to suggest that state officials unsatisfied with the status quo urge members of Utah ’s congressional delegation to take action, rather than devoting their energy to legislation that takes away the basic human dignity of people living, working and worshipping in our communities," they wrote in the letter.  

For the specific details of this bill, check out Greg Siskind’s blog entry on the bill at the SSB Employer Immigration Compliance Blog.