Latest news with #internationalstudents
New York Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- New York Times
State Dept. Opens Investigation Into Harvard's Use of International Visas
The Trump administration has opened a new investigation into Harvard University's compliance with a government-run visa program for international students and professors, targeting the elite college with the third aggressive action since the two sides restarted talks to end their acrimonious dispute. Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified Dr. Alan M. Garber, the president of Harvard, of the investigation in a letter on Wednesday, according to a copy of the correspondence reviewed by The New York Times. Mr. Rubio did not refer to any specific allegation of wrongdoing and instead said the inquiry was necessary 'to assist the department in meeting its policy objectives.' The investigation targets the university's participation in the Exchange Visitor Program, which is designed to promote cultural and educational programs with visas for a variety of applicants, including students and professors as well as researchers, interns and au pairs. Mr. Rubio gave Harvard a one-week deadline to produce a lengthy list of university records related to the student visa program. He said the department plans to interview university staff associated with the program and also may want to speak with visa holders. A Harvard spokesman did not immediately comment. A State Department spokeswoman declined to comment. Officials from Harvard and the Trump administration have exchanged multiple offers since last month as they have explored a potential deal over the government's role in admissions, hiring and curriculum. The details of the negotiations remain unclear as talks continue. Since those talks started, the Education and Health and Human Services Departments opened a challenge to the university's accreditation, which could someday jeopardize the ability of Harvard students to receive federal student aid. And U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has served subpoenas to Harvard with sprawling demands that included payroll records, years of disciplinary files and any videos Harvard had of international students protesting on campus since 2020. Mr. Rubio has also become increasingly involved in President Trump's pressure campaign on Harvard and with the administration's campaign around higher education more broadly. Mr. Rubio has privately pressed for his counterparts at the Treasury Department to open an investigation into whether Harvard violated federal sanctions by collaborating on a health insurance conference in China that may have included officials blacklisted by the U.S. government. The State Department has started screening social media accounts of student visa applicants. Mr. Rubio has also stated that the State Department would target visas held by Chinese students, an initiative complicated by Mr. Trump's announcement that Chinese students are welcome to study in America as part of his trade deal with Beijing.
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Auditor-General plans probe of international student program
The federal Auditor-General's office is planning an audit of the international student program, which has been mired in controversy over a rapid influx of foreign students in recent years. A spokesperson for the office confirmed to The Globe and Mail that there will be an audit, and a report is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year. The government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau was heavily criticized for the rapid increase in immigration after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven in part by a sharp rise in the number of international students in the country. There were more than one million international students in 2023, which was about three times the number of permits a decade earlier. The increase in immigration fuelled record population growth that strained the housing market – pushing up both home prices and rents – and put pressure on other services such as health care. Opinion: International students are being set up to fail The Bank of Canada weighed in on the issue in late 2023, warning that high immigration was putting pressure on inflation via increased housing demand. The federal government eventually responded to the criticism with a series of changes, including a two-year cap that aimed to cut the number of study permits it issued by about a third in the first year. While the surge in international students prompted a number of concerns about the program, it's unclear what exactly the Auditor- General will be examining in the coming audit. Claire Beaudry, a spokesperson for the AG's office, said in an e-mail that 'the audit is in its planning phase at this time, so providing information on scope and timelines is premature.' The increase in the number of international students in Canada raised concerns about the type of institutions that were accepting them and the quality of education students were receiving. Colleges, including private career colleges, were particularly scrutinized for rapidly expanding their foreign-student admissions. Postsecondary institutions benefited financially from admitting more international students, because their tuition rates are much higher than the ones charged to domestic students. Auditor-General to review new $526-million border duties system Many international students were willing to pay those exorbitant fees to come to Canada, frequently with the hope of securing permanent-residency status after their graduation. The federal government was blamed for loosening rules that critics say contributed to this influx, including lifting the cap on the number of hours international students could work to help businesses find workers in a tight labour market. Mikal Skuterud, an economics professor at the University of Waterloo who was a vocal critic of the previous Liberal government's immigration policies, said there are many elements of the international student program the Auditor-General could look at. That includes the cap on study permits and pathways to permanent residency. Mr. Skuterud said the federal government responded with a blunt tool – caps on permits – to the influx of students coming to the country, but that it's unclear how Ottawa plans to proceed with the program. 'In that sense, it would be extremely valuable to have the AG look at this and provide some input,' Mr. Skuterud said in an interview. Data for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada show that there were just under one million international students in the country last year. But the number of new permits issued fell to about 516,000, down from about 681,000 in 2023. The federal government says it plans to issue 437,000 study permits this year.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Auditor general plans to examine Canada's international students program
The federal auditor general plans to audit Canada's international students program in 2026. Auditor general Karen Hogan speaks during a news conference on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA — The federal auditor general is planning a probe of Canada's international students program after critics claimed that public services were ill-equipped to take on a surge in student visas. A spokesperson for auditor general Karen Hogan says her office is planning an audit of the program for 2026. That review is in the early stages and details of its scope and timelines are still pending. News of the planned audit was first reported by the Globe and Mail. Critics argue Canada's rapid increase in international student admissions over recent years drove up youth unemployment and worsened the housing crisis. The federal Liberal government put a cap on study permit applications last fall and plans to consult on future student intake levels this summer. By Craig Lord.
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Ontario colleges see alarming job losses
A new report has found that 19 of Ontario's 24 publicly-funded colleges have cut more than 8,000 jobs since January, 2024, when the new limits on international students came into effect. It's the fullest picture yet of the consequences of the government's changing immigration policy. Joe Friesen covers post-secondary education in Canada. He explains the details of the report, the reputational damage this sector has suffered and how colleges became so reliant on international student fees. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Federal opposition flags more ‘sensitive' approach to foreign students at Australian universities
The Coalition has walked away from its call for Australia to slash 80,000 international students from higher education institutions, with the opposition's education spokesperson promising a more 'sensitive' approach following the party's crushing election defeat in May. During the federal election campaign, then opposition leader Peter Dutton claimed cutting foreign student numbers would free up more housing and rental opportunities. Dutton said students were 'taking up accommodation that should be occupied by Australian citizens'. The approach was heavily criticised by the university sector and described by tertiary bodies as 'isolationist' and akin to the 'Donald Trump anti-migration card'. Jonathon Duniam on Sunday conceded the policy under Dutton wasn't 'as constructive as it could have otherwise been' as the Coalition continued to review its platform. 'Obviously, those numbers were part of a discussion that occurred before an election we lost,' the new education spokesperson told ABC TV. 'I don't think that any university should, as some have, use international students as a cash cow. That's not appropriate because it's not a good business model, but we need to recognise that a large part of the funding, for especially regional universities, comes from international students. 'So a more sensitive conversation needs to be had, and we will work with the sector and the government about that.' Labor also wants to reduce international student numbers, with a plan to drive down enrolments to a maximum of 270,000 in 2025. The shadow education minister on Sunday indicated the Coalition had softened its position on other education policies, including past opposition to the Albanese government's plan to wipe 20% off students' Hecs debts. Duniam said the Coalition accepted Australians 'had their say' at the election. 'We've got to move on,' he said on Sunday. The opposition's position on potential changes to the school system came under fire after Dutton pledged to 'restore' a curriculum focused on 'critical thinking, responsible citizenship and common sense' in his budget speech reply. While a clear policy or proposal was never announced or released, Dutton suggested students were being 'indoctrinated' at school and floated that federal funding to schools could be conditional on adherence to curriculum teaching rather than 'guided into some sort of an agenda that's come out of universities'. Duniam said his focus was on improving key metrics, such as maths, reading and science, rather than 'specific elements of the curriculum'. 'I think the rest of it will fall away if we're focusing on the priorities of getting kids out of schools with the best marks possible so they can go into university or higher education at the best standard possible and become the best graduates,' Duniam said. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'Then that will deal with all of the issues people have complaints around, including the 'woke' issues, as they're called.' A number of Coalition MPs and senators have remained vocal supporters of a push to ban transgender women from female sports, including Duniam's Senate colleague Claire Chandler. When asked whether it was an issue he shared with his colleagues, the senator said it deserved an 'adult debate' but that he did not believe it was up to him to decide how schools should facilitate arrangements. 'I honestly believe that girls' sports should be for girls, boys sports for boys. And if you have a mixed grouping, then that's something you can arrange by competition or in a school arrangement,' he said. 'I don't think it's for me to set down who should participate in what sport.' In late June, the shadow immigration minister, Paul Scarr, promised a new tone when talking about migrants as the Liberal party worked to rebuild support among multicultural communities. 'One of the things I am passionate about is getting the tone of discussion right – I think that is of critical importance,' Scarr told Guardian Australia. 'And any discussion of immigration must proceed, in my view, on the basis of the contribution that's been made to this country by so many people who have come to this country as migrants.'
