Why does MIT have a quota for internationals?

Thank you @MITChris for confirming what bodangles said. I can see that being a reason for having a quota, and I have absolutely no problem with there being a quota. I was more so curious as to why the quota is a hard one and not a soft one.

@molliebatmit Thank you for the clarification and enlightenment. I didn’t realize that so much of the institution’s resources came from federal funding.