This was a country founded by Immigrants, and many of our ancestors immigrated here to seek better lives for themselves and their families.  Many individuals are still Immigrating here to this day and for that very reason.  However, many are here illegally and it causes a great strain on our society even though illegal immigrants might take menial jobs that no one lese wants.  Not only that but many individuals are now using America's 'open door' ploicy to come here legally and illegally and are using it against us.  Some come here with student visas (some of which expire yet they are still allowed to stay!) and they study at our schools and then they fly planes into our buildings!  This is absurd and it cannot stand yet, every time Republicans try and do something to strengthen our borders and control immigration they are called bigots, nazis, and anything else they can think of in order to make them look like they are doing something wrong when all they are trying to do is protect this nation.

  Since September 11 the State Department has added seven million names to a database of suspected terrorists, in addition to sharing photos of visa applicants with immigration inspectors.  The INS must also check the backgroung of all immigration applicants.  Is this enough?  I am not so sure.  This is what they were supposed to be doing before September 11 and because they didn't we have suffered the consequences.  These rules need to be enforced and not just written down for all to look at and feel secure just because this is what it says we are supposed to do. What we need in addition to this is qualified individuals capable of performing these checks as well as those who check on the individuals who come here with visa's and then stay when the visa's expire.  Also, we need to require visitors who raise national security concerns to give their fingerprints and register periodically with the proper authorities which to my understanding we are currently in the process of doing.  We should also reduce the duration of visitor visa's from six months (which is absurd) to 30 days.  Universities are also implementing a computerized system to notify the INS of status of foreign students. 

  Imported cargo is  now being checked by Customs Agents at three Canadian ports and suspicious cargo is flaged for inspection.  X-Ray screeners are to scan the outline of cargo containers.  We are in the progress of allowing customs agents at ports in France, Belgium, Singapore, and Germany and hiring additional customs agents.  Is this enough?  Again, this is hard to determine.  Many might think this is enough while others will not. This is all depending on the hiring of qualified individuals to perform these tasks.

 At our seaports it is now required that any cargo vessel give a 96 hour advance notice of their arrival (it was previously 24 hours).  The Coast Guard will then board suspicious ships and even escourt some vessels.  The Coast Guard is also in the progress of analyzing security at 55 major seaports (361 total).  Congress is also debating a bill that would require seaports to have security plans.  Excuse me but Congress is 'debating' the possibility of a bill the would require seaports to have security plans.  I am sorry but after 9/11 this should not be a debate it should be a requirement. 

Pro LEGAL Immigration

*Facts and figures regarding illegal immigrations (i.e.-disadvantages, burdens it creates on taxpayers, etc.)

Etc.

 

Border Control

*Especially after 9/11, strengthening of governmental organizations such as INS, etc.