International Student Visas Increasingly Harder to Come By

International students have been no strangers to heightened government constraints in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Among the far-reaching effect of stricter immigration rules, UB officials and students say, will be a shift in the demographics of the student body. UB officials say more red tape in immigration is leading to a drop in international student enrollment.

"Cumulative effects of these measures are affecting UB and every other university in the country," said Ellen A. Dussourd, director of international student and scholar services.

Currently, international students make up 13 percent of UB's total population.

The newest development in visa restrictions, the "U.S.-Visit" system, requires international students - in addition to visitors to the United States - to be fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival in the United States.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Web site, www.customs.gov, the "U.S.-Visit" policy began on Jan. 5 in 115 airports and 14 seaports. It requires visitors with visas to have a digital photo taken and their index fingerprints digitally scanned and checked against those of known terrorists.

Government officials hope the new policies will stop terrorists from entering the country.

However, many students and officials at UB say the added restrictions are dangerous because they also affect those who come and learn.

Urvish Tamakuwala, a senior business major and international student from India, said he sees the "U.S.-Visit" system as a hindrance to UB's success as an internationally acclaimed university.

"International students have a harder time adjusting than American students in the first place," said Tamakuwala. "These restrictions infringe upon our privacy, and I'm not okay with that."

Dussourd said the new rule is already discouraging international students from coming to the United States.

"UB is losing talented students and scholars to other countries," said Dussourd.

Although enrollment at UB has not been affected so far, Dussourd said there are indications it will drop in coming semesters.

Also, tougher visa restrictions will lead to a decrease in researchers from overseas, which could render UB unable to offer many courses.

"I feel our scientific pre-eminence will be affected by these measures," said Dussourd.

When students are unable to renew their visas, they end up stuck overseas, missing classes. Other visa-processing delays can lead to deferred enrollment or a semester out of school. Some students never get the chance to enroll at UB because their visa requests are denied.

According to Vice Provost for International Education Stephen C. Dunnett, most universities around the country have reported a drop in international enrollment for 2004.

"Some schools are reporting that they are down 20 to 30 percent," he said.

Dunnett said he finds the new restrictions unjustified when applied to students.

"None of the terrorists (involved in Sept. 11) were bona fide students on a student visa," he said.

Furthermore, according to Dunnett, the restrictions are building a negative image of America for foreigners.

"It is wrong," he said. "Why would (international students) spend the money to come here and be poorly treated? It doesn't win friends for the United States and it hurts our campus."

Dunnett said he is also concerned about the financial effects of decreased international enrollment.

"International students pay higher tuition, almost double what in-state students pay," he said. "A decrease of international students is financially not beneficial to UB."

Dussourd said there are different ways in which profiling by the government unfairly targets international students.

"If an international student drops below a full course load, it must be reported to the government," said Dussourd.

The United States is building a fortress around itself, according to Dussourd, and the real consequences are yet to come.

"We need international students," Dussourd said. "American students are not enrolling in graduate programs in physical science, engineering or math. We aren't getting the numbers we need."

Since such a substantial percent of UB's enrollment comes from international students, universities have advocated on behalf on international students and scholars.

Dunnett said regardless of the restrictions, the international education office is working diligently to combat the situation.

"We've doubled our recruitment overseas," he said. "Our country's motto is openness, and if our country closes its doors to foreigners, we can't be globalized."