To the Editors:

If there is one item essential to the success of international students and which American students would never think of that would be the visa. No, not the credit card, but the government document that gives one permission to enter a foreign country. It is an academic essential, because if you are an international student and you do not have it, you cannot study in the United States. Since Sept. 11, the visa issue has been the major concern of international students since the change of political climate in the U.S. Oberlin College has been famous for its rigorous education for international students over the decades. During this current predicament for international students, the college has made extra efforts to make them feel welcomed. A special meeting with President Nancy Dye was arranged to talk about the issue surrounding international students on Thursday, Feb. 13. “The United States had felt secure about its boundaries until recently,” President Dye stated, “but this is an unusual and insecure time for the United States. But I want every international student to feel this is your home away from your home —feel comfortable, welcomed and safe.”
The attendance of the international students was somewhat smaller than at a usual international student event, but the first-year and senior international students were well represented. The concerns of newcomers and old-timers are apparently big probably because the changes in the immigration policies are directly affecting them.
One of those changes includes the use of SEVIS the Students and Exchange Visitor Information System which is “computerized, web-based data exchange program which requires that all continuing and new students be entered into and tracked down through,” according to the Office of the Dean of Studies.
What kind of information will be reported? It ranges widely from their registration status, to change of legal name or address, to completion of studies, and to academic or disciplinary actions taken due to criminal conviction. One international student commented, “Wow, that is a whole lot of information Uncle Sam can get.”
But maybe more troubling are changes in INS’s handling of the F-1 visa and I-20 form. The open question session after Presidents Dye’s speech brought forth torrents of questions. “So do I need to apply for another I-20 form after it expired?” “My F-1 Visa is already expired, is it OK?” “ I am graduating, but how can I get the work permits?” The questions were as varied as numbers of countries in the world; it’s case by case, depending on which country you are from.
Especially, if you are from one of those unfortunate 26 countries on the States Department’s list, you need further complicating paper work and registration. New acts on international students are passed and will be enacted soon; any student from the Middle East countries are required to be registered with the Federal Government.
“I feel really unwelcomed here,” said my friend from Middle eastern country told me,“if I have to be registered as a foreigner just because I am coming from the Middle East, it’s like saying you are potential terrorist because you are from there.” Students from 26 countries including Pakistan and Bangladesh, will face 35 to 40 minutes of face-to-face interviews in Cleveland with Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The situation around international rules for college students are as severe as winter here in Ohio. The warm hospitality toward foreigners that America was famous for has turned into severe hostility. Maybe this is a really good chance for Oberlin College and its students to show tradition for which it is famous. Give your international friends a warm welcome!

—Yuuki Shinomiya
College sophomore