An article in the Boston Globe today described how all the tightened security over immigration procedures and visas since 9/11 has led to a substantial decline in foreign students applying to study in the U.S. This is not really new information -- colleges and universities around the country have been noticing these declines ever since 9/11.

This is one of those cases that makes for strange political discussions. On the one hand, university administrators, some conservatives, and especially business leaders want immigration laws to be relaxed so that as many foreign students can study in the U.S. as possible because foreign students pay higher tuition, usually require no financial aid, are generally worked harder if they’re grad students, and once they graduate, usually are paid less to do more demanding work.

On the other hand, liberals want immigration laws relaxed and more foreign students to come to the U.S. for cultural reasons -- they contribute to increased diversity on campus and in general promote a more multicultural, globalized academic environment. However, other conservatives are more xenophobic and fear that more foreign students increases the risk of “undue” foreign influence and in the extreme, terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Apparently, these latter conservatives have the upper hand on this particular issue.