Tweaking rules to tighten visa restrictions for foreign visitors would only make things worse at an already overwhelmed Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Under pressure to clean up its act, the Immigration and Naturalization Service has proposed new rules that include shortening the stays of foreign visitors with visas. Some of the changes make sense and some don't, but Americans have no reason to believe merely tweaking the rules will fix what ails the INS.

Already under scrutiny following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the INS humiliated itself six months later by mailing approvals for two of the deceased hijackers to attend flight school. That foulup confirmed what many suspected: that the INS is a clunky bureaucracy that has lost control of its own operations.

INS Commissioner James W. Ziglar has been on the job less than a year and asks that he be given a chance to turn the agency around. He deserves that opportunity. However, the rule changes he announced this week will have little to do with regaining public trust, and they could be counterproductive.

Ziglar wants to reduce the maximum stay for those with tourist visas from six months to 30 days, and to halve the 12-month limit on business visas. He would make foreign visitors who want to study here get a student visa before enrolling in classes. Currently, those visiting the United States on a tourist visa can attend classes (as some of the terrorists did) and apply for a student visa belatedly.

Also, visitors who have been sent a deportation order would be denied a hearing if they fail to respond within 30 days, but that rule would punish even those who, through no fault of their own, failed to be notified of their obligation.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was immediately critical of the rule changes, saying limits on foreign travel would hurt American businesses and schools. "It probably will have a significant impact on the tourism and travel folks," said chamber official Teresa Brown. She has a point. In 2000, 10-million people got tourist visas, and 2.5-million traveled on business visas. Few of those visitors caused trouble, but they made a significant contribution to our economy.

There is nothing wrong with requiring those who want to study here to prove they are legitimate students, or with making visitors provide a legitimate reason before they are allowed to extend their visas. But the truth is, that is fine-tuning a process that first needs a major overhaul.

The INS is understaffed, underfunded and overwhelmed. The new rules would only make things worse, because in addition to guarding the borders and keeping track of millions of foreign visitors, the agency would be saddled with even more paperwork -- responding to visa extension requests and checking student records.

The rule changes don't need congressional approval and are only awaiting public comment before being implemented. Americans should respond with this message: Until the INS can handle its current responsibilities adequately, none should be added.

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