mp3 International Education Conference Podcast – Chapter 1 On January 23, 2006, this blogger participated in an extended panel discussion with U.S. government officials and university administrators about international students and immigration issues. The event, part of the the 4th Washington International Education Conference (hosted by the Washington International Education Council, Inc., www.washcouncil.org) produced a lively discussion of the immigration obstacles facing foreign students and the government’s plans to improve the process of admitting foreign students to the U.S. The discussion highlights some of the most complex issues in immigration law, issues that continue to be relevant today.

The discussion included presentations and contributions from: Prakash Khatri, Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Susan Geary, Director, Student and Exchange Visitor Program, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Joan Taylor, Chief, Training and Outreach Branch, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Stephen A. “Tony” Edson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State Martin Tatuch, Deputy Division Chief, Post Liaison Division, Office of Field Support and Liaison, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State Dorothy Mora, Program Officer for East Asia/Pacific, Eurasia, Educational Information & Resources Branch, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State Nicholas Arrindell, Ph.D., Director, Johns Hopkins University, Office of International Student and Scholar Services

The discussion will be presented in a series of podcasts on this blog, some of which will be compilations of comments from a variety of speakers on a particular topic of interest.

Our podcasts begin with comments by this blogger offering views on various structural impediments to a functional immigration system. The presentation raises issues such as the treatment of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, U.S. economic prosperity and proposals for legislative reform.