We are a nation of immigrants.  Legal immigration helps our economy and helps enhance our American culture.  However, illegal immigration is a drain on our nation’s resources and, as we saw on September 11th, can threaten the safety and well-being of our country.  There is also a fairness issue.  The number of illegal immigrants in the United States has increased dramatically in the past ten years while those who follow the rules and attempt to come to the United States legally often wait for years, and many are turned down.

Part of the problem lies in the failures of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).  The INS has problems keeping track of the millions of temporary visitors, such as tourists and other visitors.  In addition, they also have trouble securing our borders.  The INS needs to be enhanced in order to make our immigration system more efficient and ultimately, make the American people safer.

To help crack down on illegal immigration that could lead to terrorism, President Bush recently issued a directive that creates the Foreign Terrorist Task Force.  This task force will coordinate federal programs designed to deny entry into the United States of aliens associated with, suspected of being engaged in, or supporting terrorist activity.  The task force will also work with government programs that locate, detain, prosecute, or deport such aliens already present in the U.S.  The President has also requested a complete review of the student visa process.  International students add greatly to the quality of America’s schools and campuses, but there needs to be tighter controls to ensure that student visas are being issued correctly and enforcement is adequate.  

The President’s directive will also upgrade the coordination between immigration and customs with Canada and Mexico.  Millions of people cross these borders each year, and we need to deny terrorists access to our country, while ensuring that legal travel and commerce continues.  By working with the authorities in Canada and Mexico, we can share information and provide better security for all those involved.

In November, the House of Representatives also helped to tighten immigration laws that could lead to terrorism by passing The Patriot Act.  Part of this legislation expands the definitions related to terrorist organizations.  Under previous law, a legal alien was declared inadmissible and deportable for engaging in terrorist activity only if the alien had used explosives or firearms.  The Patriot Act eliminates that limitation so that any terrorist who has used any object would be inadmissible and deportable.  It also extends the time period that INS can detain suspected terrorists to seven days.  This holding period allows for a thorough check of the suspect’s true identity, and gives authorities the opportunity to check domestic and foreign databases for information about the suspect.  This way, we can ensure that the INS is not forced to release a terrorist simply because it has not had adequate time to do a thorough investigation.

The federal government is working hard to help bring terrorists to justice and to help prevent future attacks.  Americans need to feel safe in their communities and we can accomplish that.  Improving our legal immigration policies and cracking down on suspected terrorists will help us win the war against terrorism.