Month: December 2012

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 692 Comments

Colorado Heights University Offers Intensive English Language Program

The next session of Colorado Heights University’s (CHU) intensive English language program begins January 7, 2013.  Prospective students whose first language is not English will be able to speak, listen, read, and write English more fluently once they’ve graduated from the 12-month course.  Classes are taught at CHU campus in Denver.

 

“I’m excited to get the word out about our program to immigrant families so they can be more involved in their children’s activities, participate actively in the community, and communicate in a more effective way with current or future employers,” said Pam Smith, Executive Director of Marketing & Admissions.


CHU’s core mission is to serve local immigrant and first-generation college students along with international students.  For more information, prospective students can set up a time to tour the campus by calling 303-937-4225. 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 79 Comments

House Passes Controversial STEM Jobs Act – Uphill Battle in Senate


Last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the controversial STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429), a Republican-backed measure that was approved by a 245-139 vote. In addition to offering a limited number of visas for family reunification through the creation of new “V” visa categories, the bill would provide up to 55,000 immigrant visas per year for foreign students who graduate from U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). To do so, the legislation proposes to eliminate the longstanding Diversity Visa Program, which awards the same number of immigrant visas annually to applicants from countries that are under-represented in the U.S. immigration system.

Proponents of the bill included the majority of House Republicans and 27 House Democrats. They advocate that the STEM Jobs Act is critical for economic growth and believe that it will enable the U.S. to maintain its competitive advantage by retaining highly skilled and sought after STEM graduates within our borders.

Most Democrats and the Obama Administration oppose the bill in part because it would cut the Diversity Visa Program which they deem valuable to the American immigration system and to the country as a whole. The White House also opposes the bill because it “does not support narrowly tailored proposals that do not meet the President’s long-term objectives with respect to comprehensive immigration reform.”

The bill is also opposed by NAFSA: The Association of International Educators. In a press statement, the group announced that it opposes the STEM Jobs Act because “it perpetuates a divisive, us-versus-them approach to immigration reform.” Although the group supports the creation of visas for foreign graduates of U.S. institutions of higher education, it does “not support creating a new path for international students by eliminating another immigration program.

The STEM Jobs Act is not expected to progress in the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority. Please refer back to our blog for updates on the STEM Jobs Act and other pieces of proposed immigration legislation.

 

Top