Member "pilot in command" is right about the ability of receiving less than full time instruction on a tourist visa (up to 18 hours a week)
You can get the few hours of ground instruction and check-rides needed when you go there for hour building, without needing to apply at TSA, because you are going there for "air-tourism" (don't say that at the customs
)
If you want to start any training such as PPL or higher, you will need a student visa and registration with TSA.
In my opinion, these TSA rules will disappear soon though, as market needs will compromise security or let's face it, the feeling of security. There's one day that they'll wake up at TSA and realise that terrorists can get student visa's if they wish to, or learn aircraft steering procedures from books and practise on Flight Simulator.
TSA has been created in the wake of 9/11 to avoid similar things happening again... it wouldn't surprise me if the next presidentials comes up with more rational ways to combat terrorism.
Had the 2001 elections had another winner, I'm not sure 9/11 would have happened and aviation would have looked way better
