Volume CXXXII, Number 2 September 20, 2002 f

Foreign first years face U.S. visa obstacles
GREG T. SPIELBERG
ORIENT STAFF

Two Bowdoin students in the Class of '06 have been denied visa approval and one could not reach the U.S. until September 14. A Palestinian and two Chinese first-years were affected because of a policy generated by President George W. Bush, which targets 26 countries for extreme visa evaluation. While the focal point of this policy is Muslim males, they are not exclusive to delays and high rejection rates.

The two Chinese students-who are female-applied for visas four times and were each time denied. "It's happening across the country, even with professors," said Wil Smith, Dean of Multicultural Student Programs. Many colleges and universities have faced similar problems getting Chinese students into the country; among those noted are Boston University, St. Lawrence University, and University of Iowa.

According to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA), which serves as a campus contact for the I.N.S., the United States government has concerns about the number of Chinese students remaining in the country after college graduation. Margaret Hazlett, Dean of First-Year Students and a member of NAFSA said, "The Immigration and Naturalization Services are watching more closely and making sure that those people they give visas have a strong reason to return back to their country, whether it's family or business." Most of the 9/11 hijackers entered the country with student visas.

In a recent New York Times article, an American official reported a backlog of at least 100,000 visa applications, now being reviewed by the F.B.I. and C.I.A. One of those was a Bowdoin first-year from East Jerusalem. A Muslim, he applied in early July after the completion of his school year. Typically, the wait is a month, but after returning to the Israeli Ministry of Interior in August, officials informed him the visa was delayed. "The consulate said it may take 'one day, one week, one month, or one year,'" said the frustrated first-year, "A," who wished to withold his name. "I asked the college to send a letter of acceptance," he added.

That Bowdoin is a highly regarded institution has no influence. "People working in the U.S. Embassies and Consulates across the globe may have never heard of Bowdoin College up in Brunswick, Maine," said Dean Hazlett. The decision depends on the individual student's application; the specific school plays a small role. President Barry Mills and senior senator Olympia Snowe have sent personal letters to the Chinese Consulate. Said Dean Hazlett, "Her [Snowe's] office has helped the college, but it's difficult to get specific information. We were never told from the consulate or Beijing the reasons for their denial. The delayed Palestinian described the Ministry of Interior as "disorganized and procrastinating."

Officials warned A that he should register for the next semester. Bowdoin, however does not traditionally grant spring entry. "If something happened again with the visa, it destroys the future," he said. Like many countries, Israel's curriculum varies greatly depending on post high school plans. If A had been rejected, he wouldn't have even been able attend a local University.

On September 10, two weeks into school-well after orientation-A was finally approved. The next day, as if to send a symbolic message, Washington ordered the Israeli Consulate not to issue any visas. 24 hours later, after another letter from Bowdoin, officials informed A he could pick up a visa.

A has already been to the United States twice in the past three years. Both times to participate at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Otisfield, ME. Its goal? Spreading peace between conflicting countries.

The decision now of where to place the two Chinese first-years is up to the admissions office. Three weeks into classes, it's too late to start the semester. "The big question is whether they'll ever be granted visas. It's frustrating-a lose, lose situation. Not only for the students, but for Bowdoin and quite frankly, the United States," said Dean Hazlett.