Sindell Law Offices E-Min Newsletter (Vol. 5) - English Article #19

    DHS Secretary Ridge said recently that "Credible reporting now indicates that al Qa'ida is moving forward with its plans to carry out a large-scale attack in the United States ... ". We need to consider and consider what will happen in the immediate aftermath of the next Al Qaeda attack.


Surely, the news will broadcast that the attack was carried out by foreigners and that the immigration systems has failed in keeping our borders safe. First, we need to be cognizant of the fact that our immigration system is just that, not a security system. It is not effective in keeping out well trained terrorists and strip searching every foreigner who comes through our borders is more of a harassment system than a security system. Our embassies are now requiring fingerprints, Japanese citizens will have to wait a month before obtaining an appointment for an interview, and will have to wait hours to enter the embassy and then only for a cursory interview. The embassy staff is overwhelmed and seem helpless to improve the situation. This system clearly does not keep out terrorists, it merely harasses and inconveniences millions of people trying to bring wealth and prosperity to the United States. I believe that if this continues, our policies will have a devastating effect on the economy and the ability to do business in the U.S.


Instead of any rational response to the next attack, we may see a complete closing of all borders. This would have a severe impact on everyone's activities. We need to promote a rational immigration law that reflects the U.S. values and welcomes bona fide immigrants and business people to the U.S. We hope that Secretary Ridge's warning today will serve as a wake-up call to pro-immigration advocates and all those in the immigration law community.