LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – American college athletes are facing some stiff competition for roster spots, and it isn’t just coming from the next state over. Increasingly, it’s arriving from overseas. Now, Michigan Republican Congressman Tim Walberg wants to put American athletes back at the front of the line.

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According to a report published by Sport & State in their article about college athletes who are playing soccer, “the top-25 teams in the NCAA rankings feature 265 international student-athletes, which represent 36.9 percent of the available roster spots.” Overall, foreign-born athletes account for 34 percent of all players competing in NCAA Division I men’s soccer.

According to NCAA data, international student-athletes make up approximately 4% of all NCAA athletes across all sports and all three divisions, or roughly 22,600 athletes. For Division I alone, the figure rises to approximately 7% across all sports, men’s and women’s. International participation varies considerably by sport, with soccer, tennis and golf traditionally attracting a much higher percentage of foreign athletes than sports such as football and basketball.

Michigan Congressman Wants to Level the Playing Field

Walberg, working with Republican Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio, has introduced the TEAM USA Act, legislation that would limit international athletes to 20% of a college varsity team’s roster. Teams with fewer than 10 athletes would be allowed just one international athlete.

The proposal comes as American athletes face increased competition for roster spots, along with new roster restrictions resulting from the House v. NCAA settlement.

Critics of international recruiting argue that American students are losing opportunities to compete and potentially earn athletic scholarships, sometimes at taxpayer-supported universities. Others maintain that college athletics should recruit the best available talent, regardless of nationality.

Michigan State Bucks the National Trend

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While some universities are filling their rosters with international players, Michigan State University is taking a different approach. According to The Daily Wire report, 26 of the 27 players on MSU’s men’s soccer team are American-born, including 14 from Michigan.

Compare that with Missouri State University, where 26 of its 27 men’s soccer players are international athletes. That’s quite a difference in recruiting philosophies.

Are American Athletes Getting Squeezed Out?

Former professional tennis player Patrick McEnroe is among those supporting restrictions on international recruiting. He argues that American teenagers who once viewed college athletics as a pathway to higher education are finding fewer opportunities as universities increasingly recruit experienced international competitors.

The issue also raises questions about the role of taxpayer-supported universities and whether American students should receive priority for athletic opportunities.

Visa Restrictions Could Limit International College Athletes

Walberg’s legislation isn’t the only issue facing international college athletes. Federal student visa restrictions could also affect how long they can compete in the United States. According to Inside Higher Ed, the Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule that would limit international students to four years in the country unless they receive an approved extension. That could create a conflict with NCAA eligibility rules, which generally allow athletes up to five years to compete. Immigration experts warn that participation in college sports alone may not be enough to qualify for an extension, potentially cutting some athletic careers short. However, a federal court blocked the rule with a nationwide preliminary injunction in September, leaving its future uncertain.

Whether visa restrictions will ultimately reduce the number of international athletes competing at American universities remains to be seen. But combined with Walberg’s proposed roster limits, they could signal a shift in college athletics – one that gives American students a better shot at making the team and competing for scholarships at universities in their own country.