Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) led a bipartisan group of 14 lawmakers urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address recent delays for Indian students seeking to obtain student visa appointments to begin or continue their studies in the United States.

In their letter, the lawmakers wrote, “As members of Congress who represent research universities, we are concerned by reports from our constituent universities about Indian students who have been unable to obtain visas to continue their education in the United States.”

They continued, “Indian students form the largest group of international students in the United States and contribute $9 billion annually to the U.S. economy. We have seen first-hand how their contributions to science and research keep our nation competitive. We are dismayed at the possibility that many of these bright young individuals may be blocked… from continuing their education and research in the United States.”

The lawmakers concluded, “Research universities are vital players in our national economy, contributing to basic research and cutting-edge inventions. Indian students take part in this work in every field of study. Moreover, as we seek to promote U.S.-India cooperation on the global stage, educational exchange is vital to encouraging collaboration between our nations.”

Congresswoman Ross was joined by Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jim Costa (CA-21), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Dina Titus (NV-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Don Bacon (NE-02), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), and Brad Sherman (CA-32).

Full text of the letter is available here.