U.S. Security

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how terrorism continues to actively threaten the United States in the post 9/11 era. The paper argues that Americans have a false sense of security -- expecting that their nation's security is now superior to pre 9/11 days. Yet, the paper maintains that security is as lax as ever, focusing on the failure to adequately prevent potential terrorists from entering the U.S., either legally or illegally. Beginning with a review and critique of U.S. immigration law, the paper then turns to airport screening of travellers on temporary visas. The paper concludes by calling on the American government to identify and "seal the leaks" at its borders. The paper cites articles from experts supporting its 'welcome mat' thesis.

From the Paper:

"Perhaps even more shocking (and worrisome) is the fact that for a few U.S. dollars, a potential terrorist can apply to win a "lottery" to gain access to permanent residence in the United States. Known as the "Green Card Lottery," a program designed to grant access to immigrants coming from nations normally not as represented in immigration numbers (largely due to U.S. restrictions). The problem with this of course, is that (as in the words of the State Department's deputy inspector general), "...despite new fraud protections, the diversity visa-lottery program...is a prime opportunity for criminals and enemies of the United States to enter the nation (Dinan, 2004)." Further, according to Anne Patterson, deputy inspector general for the State Department, "...the bottom line is it's a program that can be taken advantage of by hostile intelligence officers or terrorists (2004)." Even more alarming, according to many is the fact that once granted "green card" status, even "temporary" green card status, one is virtually free to travel to and from the United States at will, wherever one wishes to go-thereby broadening the contact abilities of potential terrorists."

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