The number of scientists
and engineers going to America to study and work is dropping precipitously. An
important reason is the length of time it now takes to get a visa. This is both
deterring would-be visitors from coming, and hindering some of those who try.
Not only may this lead to a decline in America’s scientific strength, it
is also an undeserved obstacle for many students. Things are
getting a little better--delays in visa processing, according to both America’s
State Department and academic observers, are shorter than a year ago. And only a
small percentage of student-visa applications are held up for extremely long
periods. Nonetheless, since the summer of 2003, applicants for student visas
have been required to appear at an American consulate for an interview. Because
consular staffs have not been expanded, this has led to delays of several weeks
in order to sit for an interview that often lasts A. prove that foreign experts are important for the U. S. B. prove visa system used to be more effective in the past C. show that visa system was not really necessary in the past D. explain that countries have always been competing for professions
