Following a national trend, UNM's international student enrollment decreased this semester and officials said planned increases in federal scrutiny may lower the number even further.
The number of international students admitted to UNM this fall dipped to 149 - down from the 223 enrolled last year, according to the Office of International Programs and Studies.
A recent study by the Chronicle of Higher Education shows the number of foreign students attending U.S. colleges and universities increased by less than 1 percent in 2002 - the lowest growth rate in seven years.
UNM officials said they fear international students may be shying away from the United States because of tougher immigration policies.
"It's an alarming trend, one that we need to stop before it gets out of control," said Ken Carpenter, associate director of UNM foreign programs. "The U.S. has historically been the most sought after destination for international students. It would be damaging to everyone if that changed."
Carpenter said the decrease in international students choosing to study in the United States will impact the country's colleges as well.
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"Institutions of higher learning need to have diverse communities to provide a variety of perspectives and opinions," he said. "Limiting the exposure of U.S. students to international points of view is detrimental to their education as well."
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, stricter visa guidelines and a more stringent application process have made it harder for international students to attend classes in the United States.
The tracking system catalogues student information such as name, address and area of study. Under the program's guidelines, universities have to monitor their international students and report, within 30 days after registration ends, anyone who fails to enroll. If foreign students change any personal information, universities have 21 days to report it to the government.
Kavita Kumar, a freshman from India, said the system's rules and the Department of Homeland Security's guidelines are too strict.
"I know lots of students whose entire lives will be impacted by not being able to meet the new requirements to come to the U.S. and earn a college degree," Kumar said. "I just don't think it is fair."
Peggy Blumenthal, vice president of educational services for the Institute of International Education, a national group helping foreign students gain admittance to U.S. universities, said in the previous two academic years international enrollment had decreased 6.4 percent.
"It's not just the policies themselves, but the understanding and perception of the policies that have really affected the numbers," she said. "The word of mouth is out in certain countries about the difficulty getting a visa. And the perception is having as much of an impact as the delays."
The U.S. State Department issued about 175,000 student visas this year - a 37 percent drop from the same period two years ago, Blumenthal said.
In addition, this week the Department of Homeland Security released draft regulations that will require international students to pay a one-time fee of $100 to cover costs to track them.
Blumenthal said the continued targeting of foreign students could have far-reaching impacts on higher education in the United States.
"We're continuing to pick on international students which, if not changed, could have a snowball effect on higher learning in the U.S.," she said. "It may damage our ability to attract the best and the brightest."
