STUPID RESTRICTIONS

The immigration problem is a perennial weed, which always flourishes in new countries whose natural resources, cheap land, and high wages offer inducement to foreigners to settle within their boundaries. In the United States the problem has again sprung into life with the proposed changes in quota as established by the law of 1924.

There is a minor phase to this question, which has not received much attention either by the government or the press, doubtless because the importance of the larger issues overshadows it. It is, however, of especial interest in academic circles. We refer to the provisions for the extra-quota admission of foreign students who wish to come to this country for a period of study.

Most people are aware of the benefits derived from an interchange of students and scholars between different countries. The broadened outlook resulting from travel benefits the individuals them selves and the cause of international friendship and mutual understanding is aided by the contact between the educated classes of different countries.

But in the United States at present our rigid immigration laws, while intended to affect permanent immigrants, make it extremely difficult, in some cases, for foreign students to come to this country for a three or four year period to study, though they may have no intention whatsoever of a permanent sojourn. The law requires a foreign student desiring to enter the United States outside the quota of his country first to furnish proof that he has been admitted to an American educational institution, and second, what is more difficult, to establish proof to the American consul that he intends to return to his own country at the end of a stated time. What constitutes proof rests at the discretion of the consul, who may, if he wishes, refuse admission to an alien who has complied with all the legal requirements.

A few months ago the American consul in a foreign city was interviewed on behalf of a Polish student who had been trying for six months to obtain a viso for the United States, and were told by the consul in plain terms and in the presence of the applicant that in the last analysis the matter was up to him and he might refuse at season regardless of evidence submitted to him. He added that their policy was to refuse all applications for entrance outside the quota, and to make only rare exceptions.

Doubtless a liberal policy towards foreign students would lead to some abuses. A few aliens might gain access to the country under the guise of students and establish a permanent residence here. But by a careful police surveillance and system of registration these cases could be kept to a negligible minimum. More liberal laws and a different policy on the part of our official representative's abroad would be more in accordance with the cordial welcome extended to American students by foreign governments.