The number of people traveling to the United States from overseas has dropped by one third. New registration procedures at U.S. airports implemented after September 11, 2001 are to blame. The Bush Administration suggests that the new restrictions should be re-evaluated.

“It negatively and directly affects our country,” commented Secretary of State Colin Powell. “It is harmful to our economy. We should once again rethink the restrictions implemented after September 11,” he continued. Tom Ridge, the Secretary of Homeland Security, shares the same opinion. Both politicians expressed their opinions in front of the Judiciary Committee in the House of the Representatives. Powell gave an example of a Chinese Ph.D. student at Harvard University who had to put his studies on hold to participate in a family wedding back in China; for several months couldn’t re-enter the United States.

“Many people are really tired of the new regulations. No one will tolerate this in the long run. As a result, many will give up on the idea of studying in the United States and choose a different country,” Powell told the Committee.

The report shows that not only did the number of international students in the United States drop, but there are also fewer scientists, entrepreneurs and businessmen from overseas who decided to continue their work here.

Some restrictions in regard to people visiting our country are understandable. However, two and a half years have passed since the September 11 tragedy and we can clearly see what the consequences are. “We should seriously re-analyze the new radical restrictions and keep only the necessary ones,” added Ridge.