Following the attacks on The World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the media and politicians have expressed much concern about preventing the racial profiling of Americans of Middle-Eastern decent. This extremely important issue should not leave the public’s consciousness as the United States continues to fight terrorism. All Americans have the right to live free from persecution, both from terrorism and from their own government. Despite this discussion, there has been much less in the media about the equally important issue of the law enforcement tactics being used against Middle-Eastern students studying on educational visas. These students are now being investigated for everything from their attendance.

For the first time since the Cold War, federal investigators have been sweeping college campuses collecting information about students from Middle-Eastern countries. Since September 11, more than 200 colleges have been contacted by federal law enforcement, including the FBI and INS. These colleges have been asked to provide personal data about Middle-Eastern students such as grades and attendance records. Colleges generally protect this information.

However, foreign students, in order to acquire education visas, are required to sign a waiver permitting colleges to release such information. Considering the scope and sophistication of terrorism, the need for heightened security is understandable. The blanket questioning and privacy infringement of Middle-Eastern students constitutes blatant racial profiling.

This sort of investigation that targets students based exclusively on their nation of origin is not only inhospitable, it also runs directly contrary to the presumption of innocence that forms the underpinning of the justice system. Furthermore, the questioning of students on their political views acts in a way that muzzles free speech. If foreign students know they are going to be interrogated by federal agents on their opinions towards US policy, they will censor themselves. This is highly detrimental to the spirit of free thought and expression that forms the life-blood of not only colleges and universities, but also of the country itself.

When one considers the paranoia of federal authorities, it might even be advised that foreign students, especially those from the Middle-East, not be too vocal in their opinions. The New York Times reported that a Saudi student was briefly detained for taking photographs of athletic fields at the University of Colorado. For no other reason than his nation of origin, a student’s behavior was interpreted as threatening. That student was then treated as a potential criminal. Had there been evidence that the student was in league with terrorists, this might be understandable, but the questioning of the student was based not on conduct but on national origin.

Concern for terrorism is warranted. One of the hijackers was in the United States on a student visa and it would be unrealistic to entirely rule out students as potential terrorists. However, the tactics being used by law enforcement are completely unfocused. It’s one thing to question everyone who knows a terrorist or suspected terrorist and quite another to presume a connection to terrorism based simply on nationality. By harassing students and casting such a large net, law enforcement not only risks alienating potential aid in the fight against terrorism they also expend far too many resources in the process of profiling rather than actually investigating.

The questioning and investigation of Middle-Eastern students simply because of their nation of origin is, like most racial profiling, a rather blunt investigative instrument. There are half a million foreign students in the United States, and making assumptions about a pool that large is impossible. These arguments against profiling Middle-Eastern students are similar to those against profiling minorities. Many in local law enforcement have already acknowledged that profiling is an ineffective tool for deterring or solving crimes. Clearly, then, there is no reason to use the same tactics against foreign college students, the vast majority of whom are here to learn.

The United States has had great experiences with foreign students. Allowing students to study in the United States not only provides an opportunity for students from around the world to see what kind of a country the United States is, it also gives American students the ability to learn about students from a variety of cultures. Considering America’s collective ignorance of foreign cultures and the consequences of that ignorance, the government should be doing everything it can to bring students to the United States. Racial profiling of Middle-Eastern students is obviously not the way to achieve this, nor is it an effective way of apprehending terrorists.