HOUSE IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON BORDER SECURITY

Prompted by the arrests of two Algerians suspected of involvement in terrorist groups in Washington and Vermont last month, the House Immigration Subcommittee on Wednesday recently held a hearing on border security.  Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), well known for his advocacy of anti-immigration policies, including a strictly controlled entry-exit system, chairs the Subcommittee and the overall tone of the hearing was set by Smith.

One of the witnesses, Gary Stubblefield, an international security consultant, said that terrorists “clearly believe our border security is a joke.”  He also stated his belief that Ahmed Ressam, one of the men arrested at the border in December intended at least four attacks in the US as large as the World Trade Center bombing and the Oklahoma City federal building bombing.  Ressam has been charged with conspiracy “to destroy or damage structures, conveyances or other real or personal property within the United States.”

Smith called Ressam’s arrest “a loud wake-up call” about security on the northern border.  He also referred to Canada as a “Club Med for terrorists.”  He noted there still are only 300 border agents along the 4,000-mile U.S.-Canadian border, even though Congress has authorized and funded 1,000 new agents per year since 1996.  Of course, Congress mandated that most of these new agents be placed on the border with Mexico. 

Smith also called for the immediate implementation of section 110, which would create an automated entry-exit system.  This provision is extremely unpopular in many circles – indeed, the Senate has voted three times to repeal it.  Even Smith does not know how it would be implemented, or what the cost of such a system would be.

Raymond Chretien, the Canadian ambassador to the US, defended Canada’s laws, saying “when it comes to fighting terrorism, our laws are as strict or more strict than American laws.”  He also said that the Canadian government is considering measures that would provide for easier recognition and deportation of people with fraudulent refuge claims.