THE Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking colleges and universities throughout the United States to provide the government with personal information about all non-American students and faculty members, prompting objections from some schools and higher education groups that view the request as illegal.  

The FBI says it needs the information to determine whether foreign students or teachers have ties to known or suspected terrorists. FBI and Justice Department officials say the language in anti-terrorism legislation approved after the attacks on Sept 11, 2001, allows schools to provide the data without notifying those involved.