This paper is guided by Aaron Benavot's (1999) question "What are the specific mechanisms and processes linking higher education and increasing levels of democracy in the recent period?" Benavot suggests that one research approach should focus on "students studying abroad, particularly those in North American or Western European universities, where foreign students often receive firsthand exposure to democratic institutions and practices." My thesis is that the U.S. government is keenly aware of the impact international students have on the U.S. while studying here and is optimistic that these students will apply democratic principles and systems upon return to their home countries. The United States continues to allocate significant funds annually towards exchange programs such as its flagship Fulbright Program and works hard to create new opportunities for foreign citizens to come to the U.S. to study and be exposed to democratic processes and principles. This research paper examines international education policy of the United States since 2000 and the efforts taken to welcome international students and expose them to democratic institutions. The objective is to determine if the implementation of various laws and regulations in the United States adhere to the objectives of the international education policy set forth by President Clinton in 2000. A comparative perspective on the international education policy of the United Kingdom which is the second leading destination for students who are studying internationally was also completed. Understanding the perspectives of the United Kingdom and the international education policies that government has created to expose international students to democratic institutions and practices will be important to this investigation.