This week the White House released its long awaited formal plans to combat terrorism and prevent future attacks. The centerpiece of the plan is the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security, which would coordinate government efforts in six main areas: intelligence and warning, border and transportation security, domestic counterterrorism, protecting critical infrastructure, defending against catastrophic terrorism, and emergency preparedness and response.
The plan calls for the INS to be moved out of the Justice Department and into the new Homeland Security Department. President Bush and his Cabinet members have said that such a complete transfer is necessary, but many in Congress believe only the Border Patrol should be transferred. There is concern that placing immigration services in an agency designed to combat terrorism could cause the provision of services to suffer. However, the Administration has expressed agreement to a plan that would separate immigration enforcement and services within the new Department.
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