Immigration Reform Long Overdue

The Immigration and Naturalization Service, much maligned since Sept. 11, announced this week a series of far-reaching changes that govern foreign visitors and students. One proposal would limit millions of foreign visitors to 30-day stays in the United States.

Another new regulation, which takes effect immediately, requires foreign nationals who want to study in this country to obtain student visas before beginning classes. Currently, foreign students can enroll in U.S. schools while holding tourist or business visas if they have applied for a change to student status.

These reforms are long overdue and should be the beginning, not the end, of making our country more secure. We have got to control immigration or even more terrorists will slip in to join those on welfare and other forms of public assistance. No nation can survive when it fails to control its borders.

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.