WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thirty U.S. senators sent an open letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on August 13, 2026, urging the processing of international student and scholar visas in time for the start of the academic year. The letter called on the State Department to restore priority to interviewing, adjudicating, and processing student visas before the upcoming school year begins.

Senator Alex Padilla, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, led the group of senators signing the letter. Twenty-eight other Democrats and Independent Senator Angus King signed the letter alongside Padilla, including Senators Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Raphael Warnock.

The lawmakers argued that delays in visa-processing times risk national security and billions of dollars for the economy. “These challenges come at a time when major academic institutions need skilled, international talent to begin their semesters. Without a fix, the repercussions will be felt across the academic and skilled-technical talent pipeline,” Padilla said in the letter. The correspondence noted that no timely visa appointments were available for students at some embassies and consulates during the peak application season.

To address the backlog, the senators urged the State Department to extend interview waivers for vetted returning student applicants. They also requested that the department adequately staff consulates for timely visa vetting and processing. The lawmakers further asked Secretary Rubio to engage with stakeholders more transparently regarding these administrative hurdles.

The senators pressed Secretary Rubio to resume posting monthly, accurate visa-issuance data by category. The most recent post of such data occurred in September 2025. The letter also asked the secretary to explain how bona fide international students are still allowed entry under new vetting procedures implemented by the department.

These requests follow a period of disrupted operations at the State Department, which was established in 1789. The department paused student visa interviews between May 27 and June 18, 2026. After resuming interviews on June 18, 2026, the State Department implemented vetting protocols for students’ social media accounts.

NAFSA, an organization representing international educators, stated that recent changes to visa policies have contributed to a decline in the number of processed visas. Modeling from NAFSA and JB International indicates that if visa delays continue, international student enrollments in the U.S. could drop by 15 percent in the next year. This projected decline would result in $7 billion in lost revenue.