New York, NY—(Jan 14, 2021)- On January 14, 2021, World Education Services (WES) released its recommendations for the Biden-Harris administration to advance the economic integration of internationally trained immigrants and refugees and international students in the United States. Titled Pathways for an Equitable and Inclusive Recovery for Immigrants, Refugees, and International Students, the road map for reform proposes strategies to ensure effective economic integration, outlining five key actions the Biden-Harris administration should prioritize within its first 100 days in office.
At this pivotal moment in the U.S., an inclusive recovery must address racial inequities and promote the upward economic mobility of immigrant and refugee professionals, building on the talents and skills of immigrants and refugees and recognizing the critical contributions of international students. According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), an estimated two million immigrants and refugees who hold bachelor’s degrees or higher are either underemployed or unemployed. Of these individuals, 263,000 have health degrees earned outside the U.S. At the same time, the number of new international students in the U.S. declined for the fourth consecutive year.
The Biden-Harris administration should take the following bold actions to address this significant underutilization of immigrant and refugee talent in the U.S. and to create pathways for international students to study and work in the U.S.:
WES looks forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration to ensure an equitable and inclusive economy.
Read the policy recommendations here.
