Common sense on US visas
Published: February 14 2005 02:00 | Last updated: February 14 2005 02:00
When Jeffrey Immelt of General Electric, Bill Gates of Microsoft and Larry Summers of Harvard University form a united front, it is time to take notice. Fortunately, the US State Department has done exactly that with its decision to ease tough visa requirements for foreign science and engineering students entering the country.
Under the new rules, science and engineering students will no longer have to reapply for the so-called Visa Mantis every year. This will make it easier for them to travel to academic conferences outside the US and to make family visits. Equally welcome, temporary workers, exchange visitors and company transferees can now receive clearance for up to two years.
The decision is a much-needed victory for common sense. The academic and business communities have long complained that tighter visa requirements introduced after the September 11 terrorist attacks were deterring some of the world's most promising scholars from coming to the US, and therefore threatened US economic interests.
America's universities and colleges are world-class centres of learning, attracting the brightest students and teachers from all over the world. As Mr Immelt, Mr Gates and many other top businessmen recognise, the universities also make an important contribution to the country's research base. Among all those PhDs and MBAs are the brains which will produce the next scientific or technological breakthrough. Turn them away and they will go to rival destinations.
The new rules, while welcome, do not address sufficiently the plight of business visitors who have increasingly fallen foul of tighter visa requirements. Blocking or delaying visas for businessmen on bona fide trips to the US simply deprives Americans of tax dollars. International companies will think twice before staging conferences in US cities.
There is another less tangible argument for a more rational approach to visas. For most of the 20th century, the US generally welcomed foreigners. American hospitality generated enormous goodwill, especially among the younger generation. Those first favourable impressions often lasted a lifetime.
In an age of colour-coded terror alerts, tighter border controls and often clumsy public diplomacy, America's image has deteriorated. Foreign visitors arriving at US airports are regularly subjected to interminable questioning and new biometric screening. Goodwill is in short supply.
Those charged with protecting the nation's security will argue that nothing is more important than preventing another September 11. Certainly, much still has to be done to tighten security at America's borders. But a sensible balance needs to be struck. The State Department should be applauded for sending the right message to all those who still see the US as the land of opportunity. But it is only a first step. |
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