The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration: A Hub for Data, Policy, and Advocacy
The landscape of higher education in the United States is increasingly shaped by the presence of immigrant and international students. Recognizing this demographic shift, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration (often referred to as "the Presidents’ Alliance") has emerged as a pivotal organization dedicated to supporting these students and advocating for inclusive immigration policies. With over 550 university presidents as members, the Alliance serves as a significant voice in higher education, championing policies that foster greater access and opportunity for a diverse student body. This article delves into the multifaceted work of the Presidents' Alliance, exploring its mission, its key initiatives, the resources it provides, and the broader context of its impact on higher education and immigration.
Understanding the Scope: Immigrant and International Students in Higher Education
The demographic significance of immigrant and international students in American higher education cannot be overstated. A substantial portion of the student population comprises individuals with immigrant backgrounds or those pursuing education from abroad. Specifically, the data indicates a considerable presence of first-generation immigrants and second-generation immigrants, with more than 3.6 million students falling into the latter category. Complementing this are the over 1 million international students who choose U.S. institutions for their academic pursuits. The distribution of these students varies significantly across states, with Pennsylvania, for example, hosting 50,000 international students, while North Dakota has 2,000. This wide-ranging presence underscores the critical need for accessible and comprehensive information. As stated by Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, "Nearly one of every three students in higher education is a first or second-generation immigrant or international student, making it essential that up-to-date and comprehensive data, policies, and best practices are widely available to higher education leaders, policymakers, students, and other stakeholders." This sentiment highlights the core mission of the Presidents' Alliance: to be a central repository and advocate for the needs of this vital student population.
A Comprehensive Resource Hub: The Presidents' Alliance Website and Initiatives
The Presidents' Alliance has developed a robust online platform designed to be an "easy-to-navigate, one-stop spot for data and policies on immigrant and international students." This platform is a testament to their commitment to providing accessible information to a wide array of stakeholders, including higher education leaders, policymakers, students, and the general public.
One of the most lauded features of their online resources is the interactive 50-state map of Tuition & Financial Aid Equity for Undocumented Students. This tool offers users the ability to click on any state and gain an overview of the number of first- and second-generation immigrant students and international students within that state. Crucially, it also details state-specific policies regarding tuition rates and financial aid eligibility for these student populations. The map's utility is further enhanced by its ability to allow users to navigate among four distinct student groups: DACA and Undocumented Students, Immigrant Students, International Students, and Refugee Students. For each of these categories, the Alliance provides access to several effective practice papers, offering practical guidance and insights into supporting these students.
Beyond the interactive map, the Presidents' Alliance actively engages in creating and disseminating critical resources. They have focused their efforts on lobbying the government in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a policy that provides protection from deportation and work authorization to eligible undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. The organization also hosts webinars and develops toolkits specifically designed to support undocumented immigrants and to expand access to higher education for immigrant populations more broadly.
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Key Advocacy Efforts and Policy Positions
The Presidents' Alliance is not merely a data provider; it is a proactive advocate for policies that support immigrant and international students. A significant aspect of their work involves advocating for the implementation of a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants. This advocacy has taken various forms, including direct engagement with government officials and public awareness campaigns.
Following the Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action programs on campuses in 2023, the Presidents' Alliance has continued to emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion in higher education, often framing the inclusion of immigrant and international students as integral to this broader goal.
The organization has historically urged administrations to strengthen and expand DACA. For instance, in 2020, the Presidents' Alliance sent a letter to then-President-elect Joe Biden, advocating for various changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. They have also called upon the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate financial assistance and fee waivers for DACA applicants, aiming to reduce barriers to participation.
In 2022, in collaboration with TheDream.US, the Presidents' Alliance launched a "Week of Action for Dreamers." This initiative was a concerted lobbying campaign aimed at urging Congress to pass legislation that would provide permanent protections for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants. Members of the Alliance actively participated in events such as a Washington, D.C. fly-in, where they met with Senators and their staff to convey their policy priorities.
The Alliance also champions pathways to citizenship for individuals through higher education, work, or military service, reflecting a broader vision of integration and opportunity.
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The RESPONSE Campaign and Refugee Sponsorship
A notable initiative spearheaded by the Presidents' Alliance is the Refugee Sponsorship for Education (RESPONSE) campaign, developed in partnership with the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. This program is a proposed university sponsorship initiative designed to identify and recruit potential students from refugee camps and other displaced populations around the world. The program aims to fund the entirety of their higher education, thereby creating new avenues for refugees to access academic opportunities.
The RESPONSE program intends to conduct outreach directly to refugee camps overseas. However, it also welcomes applications from individuals who may not be officially recognized as refugees but are registered as asylum seekers. This inclusive approach acknowledges the diverse circumstances of displaced individuals seeking educational opportunities.
The Presidents' Alliance has undertaken preliminary planning for the RESPONSE program, including an estimated breakdown of the program's costs for its initial year, based on a projected cohort of 30 refugee students. This projection includes expenses such as administrative staff salaries, university staff support, and per-student costs for travel, tuition, room and board, food, essential technology like phones and computers, and textbooks. The program anticipates collaboration with a wide range of entities, including government agencies, higher education institutions, United Nations bodies, faith-based organizations, and other philanthropic foundations, to ensure its successful implementation.
Funding and Affiliations: A Network of Support
The work of the Presidents' Alliance is supported by a diverse network of foundations and organizations, reflecting a broad base of philanthropic and ideological alignment. Understanding these funding sources provides insight into the Alliance's operational capacity and its policy leanings.
Several prominent organizations contribute to the financial backing of the Presidents' Alliance. These include FWD.US Education Fund, an organization co-founded by Mark Zuckerberg, which has been described as a left-of-center expansionist immigration organization. The Open Society Policy Center, a lobbying group founded by liberal billionaire George Soros, has also provided significant funding, with the Presidents' Alliance receiving $100,000 from them in 2021 and $75,000 in 2019. Schmidt Futures, an organization whose CEO has faced scrutiny for indirectly funding Biden administration officials, is another supporter.
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The affiliation with FWD.US Education Fund is notable, given Mark Zuckerberg's history of funding numerous left-of-center immigration organizations. In 2015, he reportedly made a $5 million donation to TheDream.US, an organization that provides scholarships for undocumented immigrants and is an affiliate partner of the Presidents' Alliance. The Open Society Policy Center, financed by George Soros, is identified as a "social welfare" lobbying organization.
Additional donors to the Presidents' Alliance include well-established philanthropic entities such as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Shapiro Foundation, and the Walder Family Foundation. This diverse funding stream enables the Alliance to pursue its multifaceted agenda of research, advocacy, and program development.
The Presidents' Alliance also maintains several affiliated partners, including the Ford Foundation, Schmidt Futures, the Kresge Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and the Lumina Foundation. These partnerships amplify the Alliance's reach and impact, fostering collaborative efforts on critical issues facing immigrant and international students.
Broader Impact and Related Initiatives
The Presidents' Alliance's influence extends beyond its direct programs and advocacy. Through initiatives like the Higher Education in Refugee Resettlement (SHERR) project, launched in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the Alliance plays a role in integrating universities into refugee resettlement efforts. The SHERR project aims to provide academic scholarships, housing, home furnishings, language training, and legal support to refugees, facilitating their successful transition and integration into society.
The founding of the Presidents' Alliance in 2017 by Louis Caldera and Miriam Feldblum marked a significant step in consolidating efforts to support immigrant and international students. Louis Caldera, with a background in public service including roles in the Obama and Clinton administrations, and Miriam Feldblum, an experienced academic administrator and fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, brought a wealth of expertise and connections to the organization. Feldblum's prior work at Pomona College as vice president for student affairs and dean of students provided her with direct insight into the challenges and needs of students. Her affiliation with the Migration Policy Institute, a think tank advocating for legal residence for undocumented immigrants, further underscores the Alliance's policy orientation.
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