Analysis of the U.S. Student Visa System: Misperceptions, Barriers, and Consequences

Given the political, economic, and social events surrounding 9/11, the major issue addressed concerns the impact of federal legislation on international students/scholars. The study explored several research questions that can be summarized as, What are the relevant laws affecting international student study in the United States, and What are the consequences of having those laws? To date, there has not been a comprehensive compilation identifying such regulations nor an analysis and charting of the broader public policy at various levels of implementation. This article attempts to do this. Sifting through the miasma of regulations, certain themes emerge from the analysis: philosophical changes, entry and exit registration, intended and unintended consequences, impact on Arab and Muslim students, effects on U.S. citizens, and emergent problems.