International students lift U.S.
President Irvin D. Reid writes in an op-ed that strict visa laws that turn away potential college applicants don't solve terrorism's ills. Today, one hears of American jobs being lost to overseas workforces, and we tend to think of the exchange of human capital as a one-way street. The global intellectual exchange, however, has been favoring the U.S. for decades. That exchange has been disrupted post 9/11, and we should view the drop in foreign students with alarm, as schools in other countries capitalize on our loss. The loss goes beyond the impact on colleges and universities as international students pour $13 billion into the economy annually - including $400 million dollars per year to Michigan. In addition, highly skilled international students often choose to stay here after graduation, raising America's intellectual capital with a highly motivated group of new citizens.