This study provides an impact analysis of federal regulations on foreign student enrollment at three distinct U.S. higher education institutions. The two major pieces of legislation affecting international study in the U.S. are the Immigration & Naturalization Act of 1952 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA). The INA is enveloped in IIRAIRA due to the latter amending the former. Thus, they are companion pieces of legislation that overlap and reinforce one another. Because of the public outcry following the events of September 11, both laws were amended by the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 and the USA Patriot Act of 2001. However, while the above acts are related to IIRAIRA, they do not significantly change the legislation. Thus, the major focus of this study is on IIRAIRA. In addition to providing an analysis of the impact of the policy regulations on foreign student enrollments, specific areas of impact will include the impact of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

DAVID URIAS, PH.D. Assistant Professor of Education & Evaluation, Drexel University, PA. 8/05 - Present