Tennessee educators push Sens. Alexander, Corker for immigration reform

Thursday, June 6, 2013

EDUCATORS WHO SIGNED LETTER

The following is a list of Tennessee college and university chancellors and presidents who signed a letter sent to U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker urging that they support a bi-partisan immigration reform bill.John Morgan, Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents systemJimmy Cheek, The University of Tennessee in KnoxvilleNick Zeppos, Vanderbilt UniversityShirley Raines, University of MemphisBrian Noland, East Tennessee State UniversityRobert Fisher, Belmont UniversityJohn Smarrelli, Christian Brothers UniversityHarvill Eaton, Cumberland UniversityJames Williams, Fisk UniversityGreg Jordan, King CollegeGary Weedman, Johnson UniversityJames Dawson, Lincoln Memorial UniversityRandy Lowry, Lipscomb UniversityKenneth Schwab, Middle Tennessee School for AnesthesiaBill Greer, Milligan CollegeGordon Bietz, Southern Adventist UniversityRichard Phillips, Southern College of OptometryGlenda Glover, Tennessee State UniversityPhilip Oldham, Tennessee Tech UniversityDan Boone, Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNancy Moody, Tusculum College

MEMPHIS - Twenty-one leaders of Tennessee's colleges and universities have sent a letter to the state's two U.S. senators urging their support for immigration reform that will allow more graduates to remain in the country after they finish their education.

The letter dated Wednesday asks Republican Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker to back a bi-partisan plan that would ensure foreign-born students educated in U.S. universities will have a clear path to work in this country after graduation.

The educators say current immigration policy threatens "America's pre-eminence as a global center of innovation and prosperity" because of its inability to retain skilled foreign-born graduates.

Some members of Congress want a bill that includes a pathway to citizenship for immigrants here illegally, an idea that's been met with deep skepticism by some lawmakers.