International students’ experiences with changing policy
A qualitative study from middle Tennessee
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/jise.v9i2.2071Keywords:
student visa, political rhetoric, immigration policy, culture of fear, moral panicAbstract
This qualitative study utilizes seventeen international students’ experiences in the U.S. Specifically, we examine the aspects of immigration regulations and policies regarding international students and the students’ reactions to those policies—from becoming a legal alien, to maintaining lawful status, to job planning after graduation. This research suggests the current United States administration has created a moral panic over immigration, or the threat of immigration. As a result, these political rhetoric impact a negative feeling to F-1 international students as well as decision making after graduation.
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References
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Alakaam, A. A., Castellanos, D. C., Bodzio, J., & Harrison, L. (2015). The factors that influence dietary habits among international students in the United States. Journal of International Students. 5(2), 104-120.
Altbach, P. G. & Wit, H. (2017). Trump and the coming revolution in higher education internationalization. International Higher Education, 89, 3–5.
Altheide, D. L. (2009). Moral panic: From sociological concept to public discourse. Crime Media Culture, 5(1), 79-99.
Androff, D. K., & Tavassoli, K. Y. (2012). Deaths in the desert: The human rights crisis on the U.S. – Mexico border. Social Work, 57(2), 165-173.
Amuedo-Dorantes, C. & Furtado, D. (2019). Settling for academia? H-1B visas and the career choices of international students in the United States. Journal of Human Resources, 54(2), 401-429.
Amuedo-Dorantes, C., Furtado, D., & Xu, H. (2019). OPT policy changes and foreign born STEM talent in the U.S. Labour Economics. 61.
Barta, P., Chen, T., Jou, D., McEnaney, C., & Fuller, A. (2018). How international students are changing U.S. colleges. Retrieved from http://graphics.wsj.com/international-students/
Callanan, G., & Benzing, C. (2004). Assessing the role of internships in the career-oriented employment of graduating college students.” Education + Training, 46(2), 82-89.
Choudaha, R. (2018). A third wave of international student mobility: Global competitiveness and American higher education. Center for Studies in Higher Education.
Cohen, S. ([1972] 2002). Folk Devils and Moral Panics. New York, NY: Routledge.
Demirci, M. (2019). Transition of international science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students to the U.S. labor market: the role of visa policy. Economic Inquiry, 57(3), 1367–1391.
Eller, J. & Doherty, P. (forthcoming). Fear. Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2nd Edition. Wiley publications.
Elturki, E., Liu, Y., Hjeltness, J., & Hellmann, K. (2019). Needs, expectations, and experiences of international students in pathway program in the United States. Journal of International Students, 9(1), 192-210.
Garland, D. (2008). On the concept of moral panic. Crime Media Culture, 4(1), 9-30.
Grimm, A. (2019). Studying to stay: Understanding graduate visa policy content and context in the United States and Australia. International Migration, 57 (5), 235-251.
Goode, E., & Ben-Yehuda, N. (1994). Moral panics: Culture, politics, and social construction. Annual Review of Sociology, 20, 49-171.
Han, X., Stocking, G., Gebbie, M., & Appelbaum, R. P. (2015). Will they stay or will they go? International graduate students and their decisions to stay or leave the U.S. upon graduation. PLoS ONE, 10(3).
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Johnson, K. (2018). Opportunities & Anxieties: A Study of International Students in the Trump Era. Lewis & Clark Law Review, 22(2), 413–440.
Khanal, J., & Gaulee, U. (2019). Challenges of international students from pre-departure to post-study. Journal of International Students, 9(2), 560-581.
Knouse, S. B., Tanner, J. R., & Harris, E. W. (1999). The relation of college internships, college performance, and subsequent job opportunity. Journal of Employment Counseling, 36.
Kusow, A. M. (2003). Beyond Indigenous Authenticity: Reflections on the Insider/Outsider Debate in Immigration Research. Symbolic Interaction, 26(4), 591-599.
Lerner, S. (2018). H-1B visa: An uncertain path after college. Retrieved from https://www.thelantern.com/2018/02/h-1b-visa-an-uncertain- path-after-college/
Lee, R. (2018). Immigrant entry visa categories and their effects on the children of immigrants’ education. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 44(9), 1560-1583.
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Lobnibe, J. (2009). International students and the politics of difference in US higher education. Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies, 7(20), 346-368.
Lomer, S. (2018). UK policy discourses and international student mobility: The deterrence and subjectification of international students. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 1-17.
Longazel, J. G. (2012). Moral panic as racial degradation ceremony: Racial stratification and the local-level backlash against Latino/a immigrants. Punishment and Society, 15(1), 96-119.
Mesidor, J. K., & Sly, K. F. (2016). Factors that contribute to the adjustment of international students. Journal of International Students. 6(1), 262-282.
Nghia, T. L. H. (2019). Motivations for studying abroad and immigration intentions. Journal of International Students, 9(3), 758-776.
Perrone, L., & Vickers, M. H. (2003). Life after graduation as a “very uncomfortable world: An Australian case study. Education + Training, 45(2), 69-78.
Rose-Redwood, C., & Rose-Redwood, R. (2017). Rethinking the politics of the international student experience in the age of Trump. Journal of International Students, 7(3), I-IX.
Sá, C. M., & Sabzalieva, E. (2018). The politics of the great brain race: Public policy and international student recruitment in Australia, Canada, England and the USA. Higher Education, 75, 231-253.
Seelke, C. R. (2019). Venezuela: Overview of U.S. sanctions. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IF10715.pdf
Tadoran, C., & Peterson, C. (2019). Should they stay or should they go? How the 2017 U.S. Travel ban affects international doctoral students. Journal of Studies in International Education, 1-16.
The pathogen of prejudice: The coronavirus spreads racism against—and among—ethnic Chinese. (2020, February 17). Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/
Urias, D. A. & Yeakey, C. C. (2005). International Students and U.S. Border Security. Thought & Action, 187-198.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, (2018). Buy American, Hire American: Putting American workers first. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/legal- resources/buy-american-hire-american-putting-american-workers-first
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2018). Immigration marriage fraud amendments of 1986. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/tools/glossary/immigration- marriage-fraud-amendments-1986
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2018). USCIS Strengthens Protections to Combat H-1B Abuses. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-
strengthens-protections-combat-h-1b-abuses
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2018). Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/opt
U.S. Department of State. (2018). Student Visa. Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
Wang, I., Ahn, J. N., Kim, H. J., & Lin-Siegler, X. (2017). Why do international students avoid communicating with Americans? Journal of International Students, 7(3), 555-580.
Zong, J., & Batalova, J. (2018). International students in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/international-students-united-states
Alakaam, A. A., Castellanos, D. C., Bodzio, J., & Harrison, L. (2015). The factors that influence dietary habits among international students in the United States. Journal of International Students. 5(2), 104-120.
Altbach, P. G. & Wit, H. (2017). Trump and the coming revolution in higher education internationalization. International Higher Education, 89, 3–5.
Altheide, D. L. (2009). Moral panic: From sociological concept to public discourse. Crime Media Culture, 5(1), 79-99.
Androff, D. K., & Tavassoli, K. Y. (2012). Deaths in the desert: The human rights crisis on the U.S. – Mexico border. Social Work, 57(2), 165-173.
Amuedo-Dorantes, C. & Furtado, D. (2019). Settling for academia? H-1B visas and the career choices of international students in the United States. Journal of Human Resources, 54(2), 401-429.
Amuedo-Dorantes, C., Furtado, D., & Xu, H. (2019). OPT policy changes and foreign born STEM talent in the U.S. Labour Economics. 61.
Barta, P., Chen, T., Jou, D., McEnaney, C., & Fuller, A. (2018). How international students are changing U.S. colleges. Retrieved from http://graphics.wsj.com/international-students/
Callanan, G., & Benzing, C. (2004). Assessing the role of internships in the career-oriented employment of graduating college students.” Education + Training, 46(2), 82-89.
Choudaha, R. (2018). A third wave of international student mobility: Global competitiveness and American higher education. Center for Studies in Higher Education.
Cohen, S. ([1972] 2002). Folk Devils and Moral Panics. New York, NY: Routledge.
Demirci, M. (2019). Transition of international science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students to the U.S. labor market: the role of visa policy. Economic Inquiry, 57(3), 1367–1391.
Eller, J. & Doherty, P. (forthcoming). Fear. Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2nd Edition. Wiley publications.
Elturki, E., Liu, Y., Hjeltness, J., & Hellmann, K. (2019). Needs, expectations, and experiences of international students in pathway program in the United States. Journal of International Students, 9(1), 192-210.
Garland, D. (2008). On the concept of moral panic. Crime Media Culture, 4(1), 9-30.
Grimm, A. (2019). Studying to stay: Understanding graduate visa policy content and context in the United States and Australia. International Migration, 57 (5), 235-251.
Goode, E., & Ben-Yehuda, N. (1994). Moral panics: Culture, politics, and social construction. Annual Review of Sociology, 20, 49-171.
Han, X., Stocking, G., Gebbie, M., & Appelbaum, R. P. (2015). Will they stay or will they go? International graduate students and their decisions to stay or leave the U.S. upon graduation. PLoS ONE, 10(3).
Institute of International Education: Number of International Students in the United States Hits All-Time High. (2019, November 19). Targeted News Service, p. NA. Retrieved from https://link-galecom.ezproxy.mtsu.edu/apps/doc/A606188081/STND?u=tel_middleten&sid=STND&xid=617a2ff2
Johnson, K. (2018). Opportunities & Anxieties: A Study of International Students in the Trump Era. Lewis & Clark Law Review, 22(2), 413–440.
Khanal, J., & Gaulee, U. (2019). Challenges of international students from pre-departure to post-study. Journal of International Students, 9(2), 560-581.
Knouse, S. B., Tanner, J. R., & Harris, E. W. (1999). The relation of college internships, college performance, and subsequent job opportunity. Journal of Employment Counseling, 36.
Kusow, A. M. (2003). Beyond Indigenous Authenticity: Reflections on the Insider/Outsider Debate in Immigration Research. Symbolic Interaction, 26(4), 591-599.
Lerner, S. (2018). H-1B visa: An uncertain path after college. Retrieved from https://www.thelantern.com/2018/02/h-1b-visa-an-uncertain- path-after-college/
Lee, R. (2018). Immigrant entry visa categories and their effects on the children of immigrants’ education. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 44(9), 1560-1583.
Lee, M. C., McMahon, M., & Watson, M. (2018) Career decisions of international Chinese doctoral students: The influence of the self in the environment. Australian Journal of Career Development, 27(1), 29–39.
Lobnibe, J. (2009). International students and the politics of difference in US higher education. Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies, 7(20), 346-368.
Lomer, S. (2018). UK policy discourses and international student mobility: The deterrence and subjectification of international students. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 1-17.
Longazel, J. G. (2012). Moral panic as racial degradation ceremony: Racial stratification and the local-level backlash against Latino/a immigrants. Punishment and Society, 15(1), 96-119.
Mesidor, J. K., & Sly, K. F. (2016). Factors that contribute to the adjustment of international students. Journal of International Students. 6(1), 262-282.
Nghia, T. L. H. (2019). Motivations for studying abroad and immigration intentions. Journal of International Students, 9(3), 758-776.
Perrone, L., & Vickers, M. H. (2003). Life after graduation as a “very uncomfortable world: An Australian case study. Education + Training, 45(2), 69-78.
Rose-Redwood, C., & Rose-Redwood, R. (2017). Rethinking the politics of the international student experience in the age of Trump. Journal of International Students, 7(3), I-IX.
Sá, C. M., & Sabzalieva, E. (2018). The politics of the great brain race: Public policy and international student recruitment in Australia, Canada, England and the USA. Higher Education, 75, 231-253.
Seelke, C. R. (2019). Venezuela: Overview of U.S. sanctions. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IF10715.pdf
Tadoran, C., & Peterson, C. (2019). Should they stay or should they go? How the 2017 U.S. Travel ban affects international doctoral students. Journal of Studies in International Education, 1-16.
The pathogen of prejudice: The coronavirus spreads racism against—and among—ethnic Chinese. (2020, February 17). Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/
Urias, D. A. & Yeakey, C. C. (2005). International Students and U.S. Border Security. Thought & Action, 187-198.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, (2018). Buy American, Hire American: Putting American workers first. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/legal- resources/buy-american-hire-american-putting-american-workers-first
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2018). Immigration marriage fraud amendments of 1986. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/tools/glossary/immigration- marriage-fraud-amendments-1986
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2018). USCIS Strengthens Protections to Combat H-1B Abuses. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-
strengthens-protections-combat-h-1b-abuses
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2018). Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/opt
U.S. Department of State. (2018). Student Visa. Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
Wang, I., Ahn, J. N., Kim, H. J., & Lin-Siegler, X. (2017). Why do international students avoid communicating with Americans? Journal of International Students, 7(3), 555-580.
Zong, J., & Batalova, J. (2018). International students in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/international-students-united-states
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2021-02-21
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International students’ experiences with changing policy: A qualitative study from middle Tennessee. (2021). Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 9(2), 301-329. https://doi.org/10.32674/jise.v9i2.2071
