Washington: A bipartisan group of 14 US House of Representatives, including 3 Indian-American Democrats, has urged the State Department to address delays in student visa appointments affecting Indian students seeking to study in the US, ‘India Today’ reported.

The lawmakers, led by Congresswoman Deborah Ross, sent a letter as the new academic session approaches across American universities. They emphasised Indian students contribute approximately $9 billion (approximately `77,787 crore) annually to the US economy and play a vital role in advancing research and innovation.

The letter, signed by Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, to US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, stated the lawmakers expressed concern over reports from constituent universities about Indian students being unable to obtain visas to begin or continue their education in the US.

They highlighted Indian students form the largest group of international students in the country. The lawmakers emphasised the their importance in maintaining the nation’s competitiveness in science and research. “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 US,” the lawmakers wrote, according to a statement shared by Congresswoman Ross. 

“Indian students form the largest group of international students in the US and contribute $9 billion annually to the US 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 US,” it reads.

The letter concluded by underscoring the vital role of research universities in the national economy and the significance of educational exch­ange in promoting US-India cooperation on the global stage. “Indian students take part in this work in every field of study. Moreover, as we seek to promote US-India cooperation on the global stage, educational exchange is vital to encouraging collaboration between our nations,” it said.

Congresswoman Ross was joined by Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jim Costa, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, Tom Suozzi, Shri Thanedar, Dina Titus, Hank Johnson, Marc Veasey, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Don Bacon, Eric Swalwell, and Brad Sherman.