On February 5, 2002, NAFSA sent the following letter to the Omaha World-Herald and Copley News Service regarding Loosey Goosey Borders IV (February 4, 2002):

February 5, 2002

To the Editor:

Re. "Loosey goosey borders IV" (February 4, 2002): 

The United States must take deliberate steps to prevent the abuse of our immigration system by individuals bent on harming us. But to say that the student visa - used by 2 percent of visitors to our country - is "the gateway to an easy and unmonitored existence in the United States" is simply false.  Universities have for decades been required to maintain information about their international students - almost all of whom are exactly where they're supposed to be - and report it to the INS on demand. The computerized monitoring system that the INS will launch in 2003 will enhance their ability to do so, and we support it. But it is dangerous to imply that this will solve our national security problem. Millions of visitors can enter the United States each year without any visa at all. Only better intelligence can warn us if there is a would-be terrorist - like British shoe-bomber Richard Reid - among them.

Marlene M. Johnson
Executive Director and CEO
NAFSA: Association of International Educators

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For further information contact NAFSA's press relations office:
Ursula Oaks, Associate Director for Press Relations
202.737.3699 ext. 253