The act orders the State Department and other federal agencies to conduct background checks on anyone -- but especially young men -- from seven countries identified as sponsors of terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. All nationals from these countries are subject to the procedures, including famous musicians with years of experience touring the United States.

Visa delays are plaguing concert halls all over the country. In September, more than 20 Cuban musicians could not attend the Latin Grammys ceremony -- even though they were nominated for awards -- because they could not get visas.

Grupo Vocal Desandann, a group of singers and percussionists from Cuba, canceled an October performance at Duke and other venues because none of them obtained visas.

In November, the Talago Buni group from Sumatra, Indonesia, canceled shows at Duke and three other universities. Visas were denied to four of the seven members, shortly after terrorist bombings in Bali.

Before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the process of obtaining a visa to enter this country took about two months. For an artist, the first step is still an invitation from sponsor such as a university or arts center. Then, with a go-ahead from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the artist approaches a U.S. Consulate overseas. The State Department then conducts a background check that includes seeking approval from other federal agencies.

"The Enhanced Border Security Act makes no exception because of their fame or because of their prior visa history," said Stuart Patt, spokesman for the Consular Affairs Bureau of the U.S. State Department. "You need to apply as far in advance as possible."

The FBI and other federal agencies do not have enough staff to conduct background checks more quickly, said FBI spokesman Ed Cogswell. "Whenever you go through a bureaucracy, youâre going to have some delays."

Arts supporters say they understand Americans must protect themselves from terrorists, but feel artists are unfairly swept up by the new policy like dolphins in tuna nets.

The members of Talago Buni, from the Indonesian island of Sumatra, are cultural ambassadors, said Veit Erlmann, a professor of ethnomusicology at the University of Texas, who arranged the ill-fated tour.

"I think this country needs a lot of friends in places like Iran and Indonesia," he said. "We desperately need people to educate the American public about the Muslim world, and then for people to go back and talk to their friends and neighbors about what theyâve experienced here."

Talago Buni mixes martial arts with the contemporary Indonesian folk music of "minangkabau," using gongs, drums and flutes. The musicians were sad they had to cancel, Erlmann said. "They also said this was another instance in which politics interfered with the arts."

Another unique style that Americans may not get to hear this spring is Habana Sax, five jazz musicians who trained from an early age at the best music conservatory in Cuba.

"Itâs hard for us to understand why musicians would be considered a threat," said Steve Bailey, associate director of the Delaware Center for the Arts, who organized the tour.

Habana Sax has waited seven months for visas that may not arrive in time for a March 1 concert at Duke, Bailey said. "It will take a minor miracle."

Still, Bailey has not called members of Congress to complain or try to pull strings. He understands why U.S. officials are wary of foreigners in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, he said. "All bets are off when horrific events like this transpire."

At Duke, Silbiger is having to think twice about booking acts from certain countries. "I canât afford to abuse the publicâs goodwill and our reputation for being able to deliver what we promise."

The government is discriminating against foreigners in all fields, and that is discouraging, she said. "I think weâre squandering our good will all over the world."

Already, one Cuban dance troupe told Silbiger it would not tour the United States. And one of the Persian classical musicians from Iran who played at Duke last fall vowed not to return, she said. "He just does not like our countryâs behavior, and I donât blame him."

Visa troubles are also delaying foreign scientists who wish to study or teach at Duke. A Chinese graduate student who studied pharmacology last semester went home for the break and is still awaiting security clearance to return to Duke, said Catheryn Cotten, director of Duke's International Office.

Duke and all research universities face a level of scrutiny because they are inevitably conducting studies in sensitive areas that could have applications for biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, Cotten said. "This is a new security standard, and itâs absolutely disrupting plans."

This article was written by Wendy Hower, a freelance writer living in Durham.