Press Room
Letter to Capital Times (Madison, Wis.)
28 April 2005
Capital Times (Madison, Wis.)
Letters Editor
To the Editor:
Sen. Herb Kohl's indictment of the "inefficient handling of student visas that has led to a sharp decline in international students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison" (April 21) is right on the mark. DHS Secretary Chertoff's attempt to deflect this criticism by suggesting that universities are to blame for failing to report absent international student, and are "easy marks" for fraudulent international students, is just plain wrong. The law is very clear that such reporting is required. The University of Wisconsin and all reputable universities devote great effort to complying with these onerous requirements. Indeed, in an April 14 letter to this association, whose members do this reporting, the head of the DHS office responsible for the database into which this information is reported states, "There is no evidence currently pointing to widespread non-compliance of schools" with these requirements. Students and exchange visitors are the only foreigners in the United States whose whereabouts and activities while in this country are constantly monitored. To suggest that they are here because they find universities to be "easy marks" for fraudulent entry is a disservice to both the students and the schools.
Marlene M. Johnson
Executive Director and CEO
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Capital Times (Madison, Wis.)
Letters Editor
To the Editor:
Sen. Herb Kohl's indictment of the "inefficient handling of student visas that has led to a sharp decline in international students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison" (April 21) is right on the mark. DHS Secretary Chertoff's attempt to deflect this criticism by suggesting that universities are to blame for failing to report absent international student, and are "easy marks" for fraudulent international students, is just plain wrong. The law is very clear that such reporting is required. The University of Wisconsin and all reputable universities devote great effort to complying with these onerous requirements. Indeed, in an April 14 letter to this association, whose members do this reporting, the head of the DHS office responsible for the database into which this information is reported states, "There is no evidence currently pointing to widespread non-compliance of schools" with these requirements. Students and exchange visitors are the only foreigners in the United States whose whereabouts and activities while in this country are constantly monitored. To suggest that they are here because they find universities to be "easy marks" for fraudulent entry is a disservice to both the students and the schools.
Marlene M. Johnson
Executive Director and CEO
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
