The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will announce regulations next week that will include an additional visa fee for all international students.
The $100 fee will cover the cost of adding them to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database created to track all international students within the country.
Officials say the government hopes to have the final system up and running next fall.
"In 1997 an immigration reform act was passed that mandated an international student tracking system," said Rebecca Brown, director of the International Studies Office. "Before 9/11, the federal government wanted to charge students and it was regulated that a fee of $100 could be imposed."
The events of Sept. 11 brought the tracking system to the forefront of government policy, according to Brown.
"After 9/11, the student tracking base was put on the fast track because one of the hijackers was on a student visa," Brown said. "On January 30, 2003, federal law mandated that Universities must be in compliance of the act and they are now readdressing the fee issue."
Homeland Security officials explained that the fee will finance efforts to ensure that international students who receive student visas arrive on campus and that they meet the conditions of their visas.
The fee is twice as high as originally projected.
Many believe that this fee may be high, but also is reasonable.
"I think that the fee is justified because this is a privilege for the international students to come to the United States," said Richard B. Tanson, senior International Student and Scholar advisor. "I'm not sure that all Americans would be willing to bear the cost to implement the system. It may be excessive, but it is not outrageous."
The government has proposed that colleges and universities collect the proposed $100 fee from their perspective international students and then make the payments to the Department of Homeland Security.
Some disagree with the proposed fee collecting process.
"My perception is that colleges and universities across the country are against being made a tool of the federal government," Brown said. "If the government feels that they have to collect these fees, they are the ones that should be doing it, not colleges and universities."
The University works closely with NAFSA: Association for International Educators, an advocacy group that helps advocate educator's views to the government. NAFSA also keeps educators informed of the regulations imposed on international students so that the University can help the students stay legally in the United States.
"We have had the same position on the fee for a while now," NAFSA Director of Press Relations Ursula Oaks said. "The main thing that we are concerned about is the mechanism that has developed for collecting the fee is workable and does not create a barrier for potential students."
International students around Grounds, like others across the country, will be required to pay the $100 fee and register in the national database, though they are as yet uncertain of the procedures they will follow.
Some expressed concern regarding the government's upcoming announcement.
"I do not think it is a very good idea because I do not see how it benefits the international student," said first-year College student Huan Le, an international student from Vietnam. "They have to pay money but they don't really get anything out of it."
The government will take final suggestions from colleges following a proposal period and will attempt to have final regulations in effect by next fall.
"International students represent the most law-abiding and hard-working group of international visitors in the country," Brown said. "If the goal of the government is to make the U.S. safer, most people feel that the time and attention would be better spent elsewhere."
Read More
Students have federal internship offers rescinded due to hiring freeze
By Nina Broderick | 19 hours agoUntil July 15, no presently vacant federal civilian positions may be filled, and no new positions may be created.
Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the Rotunda
By Ford McCracken | YesterdayThe investigation is ongoing, and additional details are not available at this time.
Virginia primary elections feature contested race for Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate
By Nicolas Biernacki | YesterdayEligible voters can find more information about early voting by consulting the City Department of Voter Registration & Elections website or the County Department of Elections website.
