A Jordanian student starting classes this fall is a semester behind because of a glitch in new immigration rules aimed at exerting greater control over foreign students. A new national tracking system and stricter regulations, in place as a result of Sept. 11, are affecting thousands of students entering the United States.

The crackdown, says Kathy Hammett, director for international student services, has contributed to fewer international students choosing U.S. schools, and forcing some schools to close their English as a second language programs.

Xavier is no exception. Its 116 foreign undergraduate students admitted for 2002-2003 was a drop of 11 from the previous year, and the number of ESL students dropped from 79 in 2001-2002 to 58 last year. The number expected for this fall is even less, Hammett says. “We have concerns about that.”