July 7, 2020

Today Representatives Dina Titus (NV-1) and Susie Lee (NV-3) urged President Trump to allow foreign teachers recently hired by the Clark County School District to enter the United States for the upcoming school year. 

President Trump’s immigration proclamation suspended the entry of certain foreign nationals, including those under specific categories of J-1 visas.

“This proclamation has prevented nearly 100 teachers recently hired by Clark County School District (CCSD) from entering the United States for the upcoming school year, thus having a direct, negative effect on students in Southern Nevada,” wrote Reps. Titus and Lee. “…This will serve a devastating blow to CCSD’s plans at a time when school districts across the nation are already dealing with uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic.”

The full letter is below: 

Dear President Trump, 

We write today regarding your proclamation suspending the entry of foreign nationals under certain visa categories until December 31, 2020. This proclamation has prevented nearly 100 teachers recently hired by the Clark County School District (CCSD) from entering the United States for the upcoming school year, thus having a direct, negative effect on students in Southern Nevada. 

As in years past, CCSD has extended offers of employment to foreign teachers through a J-1 visa for the 2020-2021 school year. At present, there are roughly 250 J-1 teachers serving students in the Clark County School District. While these individuals, fortunately, will not be affected, none of the 95 invitees, 51 of whom are special education teachers, will be able to come to Southern Nevada and teach due to your proclamation. 

This will serve a devastating blow to CCSD’s plans at a time when school districts across the nation are already dealing with uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic. Without the 95 planned additions to its staff, the District will now have approximately 772 licensed vacancies, 188 of which are special education teachers. Unfortunately, the teacher shortage in Southern Nevada is not new, but it will be exacerbated by the harmful effects of your proclamation. 

The proclamation includes an exemption for “aliens whose entry would be in the national interest.” Teachers who serve our students and help our youth reach their full potential unquestionably serve the national interest and therefore should be promptly admitted. For the sake of the children in the Clark County School District, including those with special needs, we urgently request that you provide an immediate exemption for these educators. 

Thank you for your swift consideration. For more information, please contact Christine Godinez in the office of Congresswoman Dina Titus at Christine.Godinez@mail.house.gov. 

Sincerely, 

Dina Titus and Susie Lee
Members of Congress 

CC:
The Honorable Chad F. Wolf, Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

The Honorable Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary, U.S. Department of State
The Honorable Betsy DeVos, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education