WASHINGTON, April 20 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The U.S. Senate, in order to beef up security at the nation's entry points, moved late Thursday to bar visitors from countries formally declared “sponsors of terrorism,” and tighten controls over foreign students coming to the United States. 

The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act, passed unanimously (97-0) by the Senate, prohibits admission of people from Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan and North Korea, unless they are coming to the United States as immigrants. 

However, the U.S. Secretary of State will have the option of granting a waiver to those deemed not a risk to U.S. national security.  

This is another step by Congress to bolster domestic security following the September 11 attacks, which the U.S. administration says was carried out by individuals who managed to enter the United States legally. 

In each of the next five years, 200 new border agents will be hired, along with more money for pay and training. With an estimated cost over three years of $3.2 billion, it provides an additional $150 million for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to modernize its computer system. 

"We know it is unconscionable for our systems to allow entry of another terrorist into the United States," said California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein during the debate preceding the vote. "Unless we move on this bill, we cannot possibly remedy the faults in our system." 

"We recognize that immigration is not the problem, terrorism is," said Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). "We must identify and isolate potential terrorists, not isolate America," reported news agencies. 

"Our bill provides real solutions to real problems and closes loopholes in our immigration system," said Kennedy. 

It was not immediately known how many people would be affected by the new restrictions. 

As many as 16,000 nationals from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, and Syria have entered the United States as students over the past 10 years, according to congressional officials.  

The measure also significantly tightens control over foreign students studying in U.S. universities and colleges. 

It requires the State and Justice Departments to closely monitor these students' arrivals, enrollment into classes, as well as their dropping out. 

If the bill becomes law, which is largely expected, universities will be asked to report foreign students not showing up for classes to immigration authorities. 

"Several of the people who terrorized us, bombed us on September 11 were students," recalled Republican Senator Brownback. "We need to get that procedure under control and know where these students are and if they are going to reputable schools in the United States." 

A total 660,000 foreign nationals held U.S. student visas late last year, said congressional officials.  

The bill, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives in two separate versions, also provides for making passports more tamper-resistant, installing new detectors and other security devices along U.S. borders, closer scrutiny of visa applicants and the creation of an electronic database from law enforcement and intelligence sources, including a sophisticated name-matching system, to help immigration and consular officials identify and bar possible terrorists. 

Also, consular offices would be required to transmit an electronic version of an immigrant's visa file to U.S. immigration officials before the person's arrival, reports the Washington Post. 

By late 2004, all passports, visas and other documents will include biometric identifiers such as fingerprints or retinal scans. By then, however, all commercial airlines and ships coming to the United States would have to provide a list of passengers and crew - which U.S. airlines now provide but many foreign carriers do not - before arrival, reports the Post. 

Lawmakers pointed out in the course of the debate that 41 of the 47 foreign-born individuals who were charged, pleaded guilty or were convicted of involvement in terrorism on U.S. soil in the last 10 years had been approved for a visa by an American consulate overseas at some point. 

U.S. President George W. Bush, who has made the war on terror the cornerstone of his presidency, welcomed the Senate vote commending the legislative body for its action and said he looked forward to signing the bill, reported the Post. 

"Improving our nation's border security is vital to protecting Americans from future terrorist attacks," he said in a statement. "I commend the Senate for passing legislation that strengthens border security and gives our law enforcement officials additional tools to secure our homeland." 

A Justice Department official added that the bill would help the INS "do our part in fighting terrorism."