The 108th Congress has introduced more than 90 immigration-related bills so
far, and advocates on both sides of the immigration debate are watching to see
if national security can be tightened while protecting the rights of legal
immigrants. Many of the proposals focus on border security. Representative
Sheila Jackson Lee has sponsored several bills, including one that calls for a
study of traffic stops along the border. Several bills would increase monitoring
of the borders, including one introduced last week by Senator Pete Domenici,
which boosts funding for border infrastructure and personnel.
***
President Bush has ordered increased security at U.S ports of entry in an
effort to reduce the threat of terrorism while American forces are at war in
Iraq
. The stepped-up activity is part of Operation Liberty Shield, a plan introduced
by the Department of Homeland Security. Border Czar Asa Hutchinson said that 140
new federal agents will be assigned to the US-Mexico border in
Arizona
to protect against the threat of terrorism and to combat the flow of illegal
immigrants.
Mexico
has also increased security along the shared border, with 18,000 troops
deployed at strategic points, such as electricity installations and water
plants.
***
A Filipino crew of 20 was denied shore leave upon arrival at a
Georgia
port this week, forcing them to remain aboard their ship after a five-week
journey across the
Pacific Ocean
. Since the terrorist attacks on
Sept 11, 2001
, immigration authorities have been hesitant to give the usual permission
granted to merchant mariners. Nearly 300,000 merchant mariners visit
U.S.
ports each year, delivering cars, grain, electronics and other merchandise.
***
According to an article in the Washington Post yesterday, Attorney General
John Aschroft has issued orders allowing FBI agents and
U.S.
marshals to detain foreign nationals for alleged immigration violations when
there is not enough evidence to hold them on criminal charges. The new
regulations were released in December but were not made public. The change is
said to signal and attempt by the Justice Department to involve police in
immigration matters traditionally handled by INS officers and immigration
courts.
***
Asa Hutchinson, the undersecretary for border and transportation security,
said the Department of Homeland Security might not have enough time to complete
an entry-exit system to track foreigners coming into the
United States
. The deadline, December 2005, was legislated by the USA Patriot Act, the
Enhanced Border Security Act and the Visa Entry Reform Act. In testimony before
Senate subcommittees, Hutchinson told Congress that immigration officials would
have no problem meeting a December 31 deadline for putting a system in place to
track foreigners entering and leaving the country by commercial flight or
sea-going vessel. But he said other related deadlines would be "a greater
challenge," because new systems and infrastructure would be needed.
***
US
officials said the government will detain new asylum seekers who arrive in the
United
States
from 33 nations thought to have ties to Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups.
Authorities said they would not detain asylum seekers already in the
United
States
.
Most asylum seekers are not detained and are allowed to live in the country
while their request for asylum is processed, which can take up to six months.
