The War on Visas

Because of 9/11, the Bush administration has tightened the visa requirements for admission to the United States, with the effect that many applicants are denied admission.

Particularly with student visas this policy is misguided. The United States had previously welcomed students to our colleges and universities. When I attended the University of Iowa, I met students from Germany, France, Japan, China, Chile, Nigeria, Iran, and Lebanon. It was wonderful to learn something about each of these countries, and to make friends that I otherwise would never have known.

This exposure benefited me and the many other Americans who met the foreign students, while the foreign students learned first-hand about the United States. After graduating, many found jobs here, benefiting our economy with their knowledge and hard work. Others left for their homes, with closer ties to our country. Either way, we benefited.

Now, student visas are difficult to get as the Bush administration cites potential terrorism risks. That policy is unfortunate because the benefits so greatly outweigh the small risk.