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Foreign Students to Face Ideological Test for Entry into U.S?

Foreign Students to Face Ideological Test for Entry into U.S?
8/16/2016
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Susan Dutca-Lovell

Republican POTUS candidate Donald J. Trump proposed establishing an "ideological test" for those entering the United States, as well as temporarily suspending visa processing from areas that are known for "exporting terrorism." If such a program were activated, the screening could potentially impact many students and other nonimmigrant visas and have "major implications" for higher education; the United States hosted 103,307 students from the Middle East and North Africa in 2014-2015 alone.

During a recent speech at Youngstown State University, Trump proposed his idea of "extreme vetting" due to the perceived threat posed by Islamic terrorists. The idea is to "screen out all members of the sympathizers of terrorist groups" including people with "hostile attitudes toward [the U.S.] and its principles" and people who "believe that sharia law should supplant American law." Furthermore, individuals who don't believe in the Constitution or who support bigotry and hatred would be vetted.

To accomplish this, the Departments of Homeland Security and State would identify "regions where adequate screening cannot take place" and stop processing visas in those areas until a later time. Only people who are expected to "flourish in our country" and "embrace a tolerant American society" would be admitted into the States.

Foreign students who come to the U.S. on F, J, or M visas currently undergo a vetting process and are monitored after they arrive through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Currently, U.S. naturalization law requires individuals to adhere to U.S. Constitutional principles and "rejects advocates of ideological positions." Trumps' campaign advocates claim that "while we can't choose our friends, we must always recognize our enemies," and his initiatives are representative of this concept. On the other hand, some critics say it violates American and academic principles and could pose a "threat to the ability of American universities to enroll the best students they find from around the globe." Do you believe that this vetting should be implemented or not? Tell us why in the comment box below.

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