PADILLA LEADS SENATE COLLEAGUES IN DEMANDING STATE DEPARTMENT PROCESS STUDENT VISAS WITHOUT DELAYS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- Sen. Alex Padilla issued the following press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, led 29 Senate colleagues in expressing concern aboutthe unavailability of student and exchange visitor visa appointments in time for the start of the academic year and demanding answers regarding delays in processing of these applications at U.S. embassies and consulates.

"We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past, and to implement other measures to avoid diminishing U.S. competi...