Defending freedom, values and equal opportunity for all in America – The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

Report on U.S. Policy Trends and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Role of U.S. Research and Innovation in Global Development

Historically, American universities have been significant drivers of knowledge and innovation, a success largely attributed to robust government investment in research and the attraction of global talent. This model of public-private partnership has been instrumental in advancing national security, economic growth, and public welfare, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): University-led innovation has historically fueled economic expansion and job creation.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): The partnership between government and academia has been a cornerstone of technological and scientific advancement.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The collaboration between the U.S. government, universities, and international talent exemplifies a successful partnership model for achieving development objectives.

Analysis of Current Challenges to Sustainable Development Principles

Recent trends in U.S. political discourse and policy proposals present significant challenges to the foundational values of freedom, rule of law, and equal opportunity. These challenges have direct implications for the nation’s ability to support and achieve the SDGs.

The Rule of Law and Institutional Integrity (SDG 16)

A core principle for sustainable development is the presence of strong, accountable institutions. The report notes a growing concern over the erosion of respect for the rule of law and the separation of powers. Upholding legal frameworks is essential for ensuring that freedom is exercised in pursuit of the common good, a key tenet of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). When political leaders declare themselves above the law, it undermines the institutional integrity necessary for a just and stable society.

Values, Partisanship, and Objective Policy-Making

The report identifies a crisis of common values, where political debate increasingly prioritizes partisan loyalty over the pursuit of truth and justice. This trend hinders productive policy discussions on critical issues. Without a shared commitment to objective analysis, institutions risk becoming mere expressions of power, which is antithetical to the principles of inclusive governance required by the SDGs. A failure to uphold values of justice and truth over partisan loyalty weakens the social contract that underpins strong institutions (SDG 16).

Immigration Policy and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Proposed changes to U.S. immigration policy for skilled workers and international students pose a direct threat to several SDGs by undermining the country’s ability to attract and retain global talent.

Threats to Quality Education and Global Talent Retention (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

Two specific policy proposals are identified as particularly concerning:

1. A proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B skilled worker visas.
2. The American Tech Workforce Act, which would eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for international student graduates.

These measures create significant barriers for international students and graduates, thereby impacting SDG 4 (Quality Education) by diminishing the value and accessibility of a U.S. education for a global audience. Furthermore, by discouraging employers from hiring foreign talent, these policies threaten to stifle innovation and economic dynamism, directly contradicting the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The U.S. risks losing its competitive edge as other nations actively implement policies to welcome skilled workers and academics.

Increasing Inequality and Barriers to Opportunity (SDG 10)

The proposed visa fees and the elimination of the OPT program challenge the principle of equal opportunity and are inconsistent with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). These policies would create a system where opportunity is determined not by merit but by national origin and the ability of employers to pay exorbitant fees.

• The policies disproportionately affect individuals from developing nations, creating unequal access to the U.S. job market.
• They undermine the merit-based system that has historically allowed skilled individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the U.S. economy.
• Such measures erode the perception of the U.S. as a land of opportunity, weakening the social and economic fabric that supports inclusive growth.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The analysis indicates that current political trends and proposed immigration policies threaten to undermine the United States’ longstanding role as a leader in innovation and its alignment with global development objectives. The erosion of values such as the rule of law and equal opportunity weakens the institutions necessary for sustainable progress.

A Call for Civic Engagement to Uphold SDG Principles

The report concludes with a call for civic engagement, urging citizens to communicate with their elected representatives. This form of participation is a vital component of SDG 16, which calls for responsive, inclusive, and representative decision-making at all levels. Ensuring that policies support, rather than hinder, the contributions of global talent is essential for maintaining economic vitality (SDG 8), fostering innovation (SDG 9), and upholding the principles of reduced inequality (SDG 10).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article touches upon several interconnected issues such as governance, economic growth, inequality, and education, which directly relate to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs identified are:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article extensively discusses the importance of the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the crisis of values undermining democratic institutions. The author argues that freedom is linked to obeying the law and expresses concern when political leaders declare themselves “above the law.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The debate around H-1B visas and the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is central to the article. The author posits that attracting skilled foreign workers is crucial for economic growth, innovation, and strengthening the U.S. economy, citing how immigrants have built major companies like “SpaceX and Tesla.”
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The author frames the proposed visa policies, such as the “$100,000 fee for skilled foreign worker visas,” as a threat to “equal opportunity, meritocracy and fairness.” These policies would create significant barriers for individuals based on their national origin and financial capacity, thereby increasing inequality.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article opens by highlighting that “American universities have been unmatched as drivers of knowledge and innovation.” It links this scientific prowess to attracting a “large pool of global talent” and argues that restrictive visa policies would make it harder to “retain global talent,” thus hampering future innovation.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The context of the article is rooted in the author’s experience as a PhD candidate and the role of American universities. The OPT program is described as a critical bridge for international students to gain professional experience after graduation, making it an integral part of the value proposition of U.S. higher education for global talent.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The author’s argument that “No man is above the law and no man is below it” and concerns about political leaders disrespecting the rule of law directly align with this target.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The reference to the “separation of powers – executive, legislative and judicial – integral to democracy” and the warning that “Without common values, institutions are just expressions of power” points to this target.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The author’s call to action for readers to “call your elected senators and representatives on the telephone and express your thoughts to them” is a direct appeal for participatory decision-making.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article argues that skilled foreign workers on H-1B visas contribute to innovation and building companies that strengthen the U.S. economy.
3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices. The author argues that undermining “equal opportunity for all, including skilled foreign workers, contradicts the very values the U.S. claims to stand for.”
   • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. The entire discussion on the H-1B and OPT programs is a commentary on the need for well-managed migration policies that attract and retain global talent rather than creating prohibitive barriers.
4. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers. The article connects the historical success of U.S. innovation to federal support for university research and the influx of global talent. It implies that restricting visas for skilled workers would negatively impact the pool of R&D talent.
5. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills… for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The OPT program is explicitly mentioned as a mechanism that “allows international students to stay in the U.S.” to gain practical work experience after graduation, directly contributing to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article is an opinion piece and does not cite official SDG indicators, it mentions or implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress:

• Visa Policies and Costs: The proposed “$100,000 fee for skilled foreign worker visas (H-1B)” is a specific, quantifiable indicator of a financial barrier to migration. The existence or termination of the “Optional Practical Training (OPT) program” is another policy-based indicator. These relate to Target 10.7.
• Number of Skilled Migrants: The article implicitly refers to the number of H-1B visas issued and the number of international students utilizing the OPT program as key metrics for assessing the country’s openness to global talent. This can be an indicator for Targets 8.2 and 9.5.
• Economic Contributions of Immigrants: The mention of immigrants who “went on to build companies such as SpaceX and Tesla” implies that an indicator could be the number of businesses founded or led by skilled migrants, measuring their contribution to economic growth (Target 8.2).
• Adherence to Rule of Law: The author’s concern about leaders declaring themselves “above the law” suggests that an indicator for Target 16.3 could be the number of instances where political leaders challenge judicial rulings or the separation of powers, which can be tracked through public statements and legal challenges.
• Citizen Participation: The suggestion to “call your elected senators and representatives” implies that a measure of progress for Target 16.7 could be the level of citizen engagement with elected officials on policy issues.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: jhunewsletter.com