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“STRONG STUDENT VISA SYSTEM CRITICAL TO NATIONAL SECURITY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E83 on Feb. 5, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STRONG STUDENT VISA SYSTEM CRITICAL TO NATIONAL SECURITY
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HON. DOUG BEREUTER
of nebraska
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 5, 2002
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member wishes to commend to his colleagues the February 4, 2002, editorial from the Omaha World-Herald entitled ``Loosey Goosey Borders IV.''
This editorial is one in a series of editorials published by the Omaha World-Herald which illuminate why it is entirely appropriate for the U.S. to enact strict immigration laws and, subsequently, to actively enforce those laws. Specifically, this editorial focuses upon the student visa system.
Indeed, the U.S. should be pleased that its higher education system attracts many foreign students, and, while it is important to continue the student visa system to bring vibrancy and diversity to universities and colleges, those interests must continuously and consistently be balanced against U.S. security interests. Failure to do so could place American lives at risk to terrorist attacks--among other threats--
committed by those in the U.S. fraudulently under the guise of educational purposes.
Even with the strictest possible enforcement of visa controls, the system will always be susceptible to visa fraud. However, that does not mean that the U.S. should throw up its hands in surrender and throw open its borders.
Loosey goosey borders IV
Slow progress is made in controlling foreign student visas.
Progress on tightening up the United States' free-and-easy borders has been slow but steady since Sept. 11--not spectacular, but at least things are moving.
Before the terrorist attack, student visas were issued to foreign nationals, some of whom came to this country and, in essence, disappeared into the general population. The Immigration and Naturalization Service didn't check whether they actually went to school or whether they left after their education was done.
Things changed on Sept. 11. Security became a greater concern. The INS is setting up a computer system to track student visa holders. The agency has been struggling with a system for years, but it appears that it will be in place, INS officials said, by 2003.
The tracking system is not without its critics. A group dealing with foreign students withdrew its opposition after the September attack, but many individual schools have expressed the concern that a tracking system will discourage foreign students.
Security trumps that concern. So long as a student visa is the gateway to an easy and unmonitored existence in the United States for people whose motives might be other than scholarship, this is a security matter. If keeping tabs on foreign students discourages a few from coming to the United States or inconveniences a college's administration, too bad.
Besides the INS system, the Senate is expected to join the House soon in passing legislation that, among other things, would forbid the issuance of student visas to anyone from a country that sponsors terrorism unless the State Department investigates and approves the individual.
Some local INS offices are on the ball, too. Omaha-based INS officials, for instance, have been in contact with colleges and universities within their jurisdiction. But not all INS offices across the country have been as aggressive.
Better monitoring of guests to discourage those who would abuse the privilege is not onerous or unreasonable. Rather, these precautions are sensible and understandable in light of the credible threat terrorism poses to Americans. The faster security can be improved, the better for the nation.
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