TEAM USA Act introduced to limit international student athletes

The TEAM USA Act, also known as the Training and Education for American Members in University Sports and Athletics Act, has been introduced in Congress to regulate the participation of international student athletes in collegiate sports.

Presented by Senator Jon Husted and Representative Tim Walberg, the bicameral bill seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. The proposed legislation aims to limit international student athletes to a maximum of 20% of any individual team’s roster. For teams with fewer than 10 players, the limit would be set at one international athlete.

The bill argues that the increased recruitment of international students has reduced roster and scholarship opportunities for American student athletes at institutions receiving federal financial assistance, thereby limiting their access to athletic financial aid and associated educational benefits.