According to the latest report by the Institute of International Education, 586,323 foreign students studied in the United States in the 2002-2003 academic year. Foreign students benefit U.S. colleges and universities in many ways, including economic contributions and the value of their work as teachers and researchers, but there has been increased concern about foreign students since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The United States began establishing a student tracking system in the mid-1990s, and following the September 11 attacks, Congress authorized more than $36 million to implement and expand the tracking system. The Student and Exchange Visitors System (SEVIS) was completed to allow officials to collect information about foreign students and exchange visitors. Schools enrolling foreign students are required to report certain information about student enrollment and changes to address, name, or field of study. SEVIS has faced a number of challenges, especially because of difficulties in meeting tight deadlines for implementation. The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has begun working to reduce the backlog in student visas and ensure that students from schools pending certification can gain entry into the United States. (SLD)