Mark Regets

International students who stay after graduation (OPT) cause large increases in innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity in the US. I talked with @insidehighered.com about the US Administration's new tax on those students—>

One reason tariffs are "socialist" (defined as government control of the economy) and dictatorial is that they give der Führer personal control over which sectors and businesses to favor.

The entire NeverTrump/anti-MAGA/Principles-First conservative movement is full of paleskinned, multi-generational Americans who are STILL conservative but STOPPED voting GOP because our conservatism is not defined by fear and hate. (Posted on X in defense of an Indian conservative voting Dem.)

I spoke with @pbsnews.org about the likely economic ripple effects of the US Administration's policy of international student exclusion.

Today I celebrate Columbus Day—it never much about Columbus himself, but about BOTH the spirit of discovery and honoring immigrants. The "honoring immigrants" part is the historical reason Columbus Day is not celebrated in Southern states—the KKK objected.

Book recommendation: "Powerless" by Harry Turtledove Inspired by Václav Havel's essay "The Power of the Powerless", it is an alternate history following a Los Angeles grocer labeled a dissident in the West Coast People's Democratic Republic. Very powerful and one of Turtledove's best.

Trump is making history: The only president in U.S. history to oversee a decline in the civilian labor force before Donald Trump is Abraham Lincoln, and that was due to the Civil War. It means less economic growth and higher debt. wapo.st/3SL42AD

In its rule, DHS omits describing H-1B data showing a 91% drop in new H-1B filings at consulates (and company declines) after the $100K fee in Sept. 2025. The data undermine DHS's claim a $103,265 tax won’t affect company filings. @mclem.org @douglasrivlin.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...

Through multiple new rules on student visas, on OPT internships, and on work visas, the entire pipeline of high-skilled migration to America is being squeezed. DHS Omits Describing H-1B Data Undermining Premise Of Immigration Rule share.google/Pa8j5s7ysoTz...

"As disconcerting as it is to understand that the American president is no longer leader of the free world, it’s even worse to realize that the American president is not indifferent to the free world. He is openly opposed to it."

Reminder: Dolly Parton helped fund the Moderna vaccine for COVID.

We never should have started reporting imports and exports in the same trade report. As made-up economic indicators go, even the old "misery index" (unemployment rate + CPI) is more meaningful than subtracting imports from exports.

After a judge struck down the $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, Trump officials have proposed a broader tax. They assert the reason is no longer to restrict H-1B entry but to fund ICE and other immigration functions. @mclem.org @douglasrivlin.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...

As much as "the economy is terrible for young people" is being over-hyped, it is true that the stagnation caused by slashing immigration means fewer opportunities for anyone just starting out. Falling labor supply does NOT create opportunities for those who remain.

NEW from @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social: "We conducted three focus groups—one each in April, June, and July—with Michiganders who had voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 and planned to vote in the Democratic primary for the Senate race." lnk.thebulwark.com/45BmYEP?utm_...

A $100K fee on Optional Practical Training would prevent international students from working in America. In response, “US companies would likely expand hiring overseas and shift more research & development out of the United States.” @mclem.org @adamposen.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...

A reminder to Bulwark readers in Michigan: Tomorrow is an OPEN PRIMARY, open to all voters. Primary electorates are the most difficult to predict, even in closed primaries. I make no predictions, but with the help of moderates of ALL political affiliations, the broad center can still hold.

Michigan's Democratic Attorney General, Dana Nessel, said that she will not attend the Michigan Democratic Convention because she would not feel safe. Republicans who defy Trump often fear for their personal safety. The far left is doing the same to Dems. The hatemongering is destroying America.

True—where the silliness did the most damage. But I don't want Democrats to get scared about supporting expanding legal immigration. In a lot of ways they are still more reluctant to do that than were the Reagan/Bush/McCain Republicans.

We are doing something terrible to 1.3 million people while damaging America's economy, and DHS presents this with snarky dark humor: "Your Free Trial of America has Ended"

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Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Haley Stevens in the Michigan Senate primary. How much weight does an endorsement hold, especially coming from someone who won the state twice? @citizencohn.bsky.social on what Whitmer's endorsement means in the upcoming Democratic primary.

Marc Rosenblum, DHS stat head, has resigned, leaving this message on Linkedin:

Michael is known as one of those people who makes very astute observations. Too many of them have been disturbing lately, but that is not his fault.

I really wish that a large fraction of the “ICE is still in X place” attention were being paid to stuff like this. It’s not even about the people getting apprehended today. It’s about the people who DISENROLLED FROM THEIR LIVES out of fear and are now trying to pick back up.

I can see there are people on here who think that academia must be exclusively controlled by people exactly like themselves. If you think that, it's a good idea to block me, because that is a poisonous view that will end up destroying our universities. And I will not sit by and watch that happen.

Intl. students, including PhDs, must finish degrees in 4 years. The only assurance from DHS in new rule is the right to file an extension. NFAP’s Mark Regets asks, “How is that a genuine assurance? Why take a chance on a US education?” @mclem.org @adamposen.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...

We drive on the parkway and park on the driveway. We call the system that is massively social (voluntary interactions between businesses, workers, investors, and consumers) "capitalism" despite capital being the least compensated part. We call the centralized and LEAST social system "socialism".

On the 250th there is much to have pride in about America. True patriotism now means standing up to say NO! to everything that MAGA wants America to become.

This exactly right. Regardless of the legality, it is not in America's interest to make 1.3 million people here legally with TPS into illegals. They contribute to America as workers, taxpayers, and parents of American citizens.

As the Debt-to-GDP ratio passes 1.0, it seems like a good time to repost NFAP's October 2025 estimate that Trump's immigration policy could lead to a ratio of 1.29 by 2035. This is due to BOTH reduced GDP and increased Federal debt. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/b... nfap.com/wp-content/u...

Here at #Welcomefest, a gathering of moderate Democrats. If any mutuals are here, let me know and I might share my secret identity (I think most immigration policy wonks have already figured it out).

There are literally millions of people in the United States legally who we forbid to work. With a few exceptions, I have never viewed this as a good policy. Now, during a period of NEGATIVE labor force growth, we are expanding the work bans.

It’s truly astonishing to see how comprehensively the US government is tearing down every part of the system that has made it up until now a world-leading power in science, research, and technological development. The entire world will suffer from this wanton destruction.

California should NOT reinstate partisan primaries! If the concern is that sometimes the general election will have a candidates of the same party, a BETTER solution is a Top 4 nonpartisan primary like Alaska, with RCV in the general. Unlocked NYTimes article. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/10/u...

As the Debt-to-GDP ratio passes 1.0, it seems like a good time to repost NFAP's October 2025 estimate that Trump's immigration policy could lead to a ratio of 1.29 by 2035. This is due to BOTH reduced GDP and increased Federal debt. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/b... nfap.com/wp-content/u...

I lol'd at this.😆

Proud of my Cato Institute colleague David Bier who stood his ground at a hearing today and talked back to bloviating Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana). David responds to the clip and furnishes receipts. @cato.org

The Trump Administration has continued to weaponize the federal government and abuse its power to threaten and intimidate anyone who doesn’t bend the knee to them. I’m running because Maine deserves a Senator who will stand up to him — and it’s clear that’s not Susan Collins.

In memory of Neil Sedaka. And in memory of better times in America. 🎵There was a time when strangers were welcome here.🎵 music.amazon.com/albums/B0DQL...

To my friends on the left: Listen to Republicans, former Republicans, and conservatives talk about MAGA's threat to America in far more detailed and scarier terms than you often hear even on Bluesky.

From the Principles First National Summit: This group of moderates, conservatives, Republicans, and ex-Republican did nothing but cheer the people of Minneapolis. They are viewed as a ray of hope—Americans standing against tyranny when so many others find it inconvenient.

@michaelsteele.bsky.social: "Trump wants to stoke violence and he wants to use the levers of government to do it…If we don't feed the beast it starves. And that is what happened in Minnesota. We didn't feed the beast of violence with a violent response, and it starved.

NYT gift article on the #PrinciplesFirst Summit I am attending. Good article, but I strongly disagree with the headline—we are NOT fractured and we are growing. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/u...

Now "Streets of Minneapolis" with video youtu.be/GDaPdpwA4Iw?...

I am a consistent colorblind conservative. I don't give a damn about the ethnicity of either the Federal thugs or their victims. Let MAGA talk like we are in a race war—we don't need to encourage that BS.

Full statement from New Dem Chair @repschneider.bsky.social and @usprogressives.bsky.social Chair @repcasar.bsky.social on DHS reforms.

"🎵Blood and bones, and these whistles and phones against Miller's and Noem's dirty lies🎵" George Will compared Minneapolis to Birmingham 1963. Both will be remember as ordinary Americans standing up for American liberty.

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free