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A 90-DAY PAUSE – NOW! : The INS should not issue any new visas of any kind for 90 days
RobertLocke.com ^ | September 18, 2001 | Robert Locke

Posted on 09/20/2001 12:39:44 AM PDT by ouroboros

A 90-DAY PAUSE – NOW!

By  Robert Locke

The Washington Post has reported that the FBI has detained 75 immigrants in connection with last week’s attacks. The terrorists who died in the explosion make another 20 or so. If these detentions are correct, as many as 95 immigrants, perhaps more, many of them illegal, murdered about 5,000 Americans. Many of these immigrants were allowed into to the United States to study flying at Florida flight schools, to infiltrate airports, to stage dry runs, and to otherwise plot their attack. They often overstayed their visas.

According to experts, a basic reason the attack was not stopped is that the agency responsible for admitting these terrorists, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (I.N.S.), is overwhelmed; its systems and procedures are out of control.

The I.N.S. cannot reliably track even the simplest facts. The I.N.S. database does not know, for example, exactly where an immigrant entered America. It does not know how many times an immigrant has entered on a visa. It does not know whether an immigrant has repeatedly overstayed his tourist visas. It does not know whether a student visa has been overstayed. It does not have an immediate computer record of whether an immigrant has left the country: everything is written on paper and first stored in boxes.  Former Commissioner Doris Meissner admitted that the I.N.S. was unable to check citizenship applications adequately because of the enormous pressure to grant large numbers of citizenship and other visas in the 1990’s. It has no electronic means of validating a state birth certificate to detect forgery. Its computer system is incompatible with the State Department’s system identifying suspected terrorists.

In short, the whole documentary structure of the I.N.S. is, in the words of Reagan’s Attorney General William French Smith, “a foundation of sand.”

The first thing you do when you are in a hole is to stop digging deeper. In the case of the I.N.S., the way to stop digging ourselves into an ever-deeper hole is to pause in issuing new visas.  A pause is the necessary first step so that the I.N.S. can focus its energy on the World Trade Center investigation. A pause is the necessary first step to repairing the damage, to get the systems and procedures of the I.N.S. back under control. 

A 90-Day Pause provision should be inserted into the upcoming anti-terrorist legislation: “The Immigration and Naturalization Service shall not issue any new visas of any kind for 90 days from the date this act takes effect, except that the Attorney General may authorize up to 2,000 visas over this 90-day period in cases of critical national interest.”

Such a 90-Day Pause would not affect visas already issued. Nor would it prevent tourism from Europe, Japan, and other places where visas are not required. But a 90-Day Pause would allow the I.N.S. some relief to focus all its time and effort on assisting the F.B.I. with its investigation - and on fixing an out-of-control immigration system.

As politicians call for suspending civil liberties across the country, every citizen must answer the question: should we trammel the right of citizens to be secure in their persons and property – but not the right of terrorists to waltz back and forth across our borders at will?


TOPICS: Editorial; Government
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To: onyx
One bright light: the Saudi embassy is directing all Saudi students to return home ASAP.

I don't know about this being a bright light.

It could be a sign that more attacks are on the way and the Saudi's are getting there citizens out of harms way.

Remember that Bin Laudin(sp) is a Saudi and from a prominent family.

Regards,
CATO

21 posted on 09/20/2001 6:32:38 AM PDT by Cato
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To: ouroboros
The PC crowd is so frickin' sensitive about Third World immigration, that even THIS barest minimum move will be pounced upon. Believe me, I know- here in NYC, the incredible anger and fury from last week (even on the left) has devolved into Operation Don't Be Impolite To Arabs. Apparently 5,000+ still unburied Americans wasn't enough make the left take steps to defend themselves. It's clear that those of us who actually want to DO something about it will be attacked and criticized throughout the coming conflict. Remember that they are just hand-wringers who are only interested in salving their consciences, ignore them and LET'S ROLL!
22 posted on 09/20/2001 6:35:14 AM PDT by Jhensy
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To: ouroboros
Only 90 days?? Drop in the bucket!
23 posted on 09/20/2001 6:42:37 AM PDT by Freedom56v2
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To: ouroboros
90 days my foot, 90 years is more like it.
24 posted on 09/20/2001 6:56:33 AM PDT by MissAmericanPie
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To: ouroboros
Thanks for the heads-up. Now that's a real LockeBox!
25 posted on 09/20/2001 7:01:41 AM PDT by mrustow
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To: ouroboros
The first thing you do when you are in a hole is to stop digging deeper.
Selah Bro!

Recovering from "cranial rectumitus" can be difficult without the proper medical procedure and medication though.
Prescribe liberally for INS.

26 posted on 09/20/2001 7:56:44 AM PDT by philman_36
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To: ouroboros, all
Thanks for the ping. Maybe some "moratorium" on new visas is needed until the system is cleaned up, especially around expired visas.

I have a question- what's the difference between a visa and a passport? I've never been sure and now seems like a good time to ask.

27 posted on 09/20/2001 7:57:04 AM PDT by mafree
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Comment #28 Removed by Moderator

To: ouroboros
Thanks O. Let's see if I understand correctly. Someone who wants to do us harm will apply for a visa when we have open borders for illegals. Nah, I don't think so.
29 posted on 09/20/2001 8:20:09 AM PDT by ex-snook
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To: tex-oma
"If so, what rights should aliens not have?"

My point is that aliens should not have the same rights as Americans because the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were/are solely intended for American citizens.

Are you saying that aliens should deserve the same rights as Americans and, if so, then why do I hear so many of you griping over them receiving the same benefits (medical, education, etc.) that we receive? If so, then why shouldn't an alien be able to run for president or congress? In addition, are you saying that our Founding Fathers intended the Bill of Rights to be one for the world to observe?

30 posted on 09/20/2001 9:27:34 AM PDT by A2J
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To: ouroboros
bump
31 posted on 09/20/2001 9:48:12 AM PDT by junta
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Comment #32 Removed by Moderator

To: ouroboros
In addition, they should send home all non-citizens that come from Arab countries suspected to be involved in this attack. Now. No matter what visa, what reason, etc. They need to go home for our protection and their own.
33 posted on 09/20/2001 10:15:51 AM PDT by Spiff
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To: ouroboros
BTTT!
34 posted on 09/20/2001 12:08:50 PM PDT by sheltonmac
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To: ouroboros
90 days, hell how about 900 days!
35 posted on 09/20/2001 12:12:37 PM PDT by Republic of Texas
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To: tex-oma
Well, for starters, how about #2 and #4?

Look, Texoma, I know you liberaltarians believe that everyone is the same, but I've got news for you, they're not.

36 posted on 09/20/2001 1:00:52 PM PDT by A2J
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To: ouroboros
Thanks again, BigO.
This is an excellent idea but only 90 days? I think we are long overdue for a pause, but should follow the 90 day period with an announcement that we will be lowering our yearly quotas for a year at least.

A 90-Day Pause provision should be inserted into the upcoming anti-terrorist legislation

Think I'll e this article out to my Congressmen.

37 posted on 09/20/2001 4:42:49 PM PDT by SusanUSA
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To: ouroboros
Sure, shut down tourism and business dealings with foreign partners and subsidiaries. No problem whatsoever, we are an island. Let's kill the economy, we don't need it.
38 posted on 09/20/2001 4:47:40 PM PDT by Economist_MA
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Comment #39 Removed by Moderator

To: ouroboros
HMMMMMMMMMMM...
40 posted on 09/21/2001 9:25:05 PM PDT by Mercuria
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