I recently read your article on the SEVIS program, which was implemented by the government. That this program, which threatens our freedoms, is being waved under the banner of protecting the American people is disturbing. It seems that since September 11 people have been in perpetual fear and the government is taking advantage of this time to carry out anti-freedom practices. Programs like SEVIS are being hailed as protectors of our safety, but in my opinion they are turning this country into something that is not my America.

SEVIS is requiring international students—here to learn—to give up personal information about themselves so that the government can track them. I find this upsetting, especially when I read that if a student does not complete their education by the original time given, the government requires him or her to leave the country. Now international students have to be in fear of not completing their classes on time and being deported. Does this mean a student who fails a course their second semester senior year cannot stay around for another year to complete their studies? If so, this seems absurd to me.

In these days where we think everyone is a terrorist, I think we have to remember that we have been relatively safe since September 11. We should not give up our freedom to gain a possibility of increased safety. That is not my America: that is not what patriotism is about.

Brian Whipple