WASHINGTON - Some of the nation's colleges and universities are reluctant to aid the government in keeping tabs on the activities of foreign students, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says. Now appearing before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Chertoff has not been asked about or spoken directly on last Friday's indictment of two Egyptian-born University of South Florida students, one accused of trying to aid terrorists.
But under questioning from Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Palm Harbor Republican, Chertoff discussed in general terms how the government needs the cooperation of colleges and universities to know when foreign students aren't attending programs or classes in which they are enrolled.
Chertoff said some colleges "don't want to see themselves as enforcement tools for the government."