Illegal Immigration and National Security

National Security

Immigration Affects National Security

There are several factors affecting the National Security of the United States. Among these are U.S. national defense and foreign relations. Immigration policies and border control are at the heart of these issues.

Maintaining an acceptable level of National Security is dependent on ensuring that strong immigration policies are in force, and that tangible security and defense mechanisms like a border wall, are in place.

Border Security

Greater border control involves both physical barriers against illegal entry and increasing the number of Border Patrol officers attempting to identify, intercept and apprehend illegal aliens.

FAIR welcomes the promise of the Trump-proposed ‘big, beautiful wall’ along the U.S. southern border and will work to hold President Trump to his promise.

Each day without an effective border barrier means an increased threat to both the American public and National Security, not only from illegal aliens, gangs, drug smugglers and human traffickers, but also terrorists who might infiltrate the wave of illegal aliens.

Results

entry exit
April 5, 2012 National Security

Automated Entry-Exit System

Every year, millions of foreigners enter the U.S. as "nonimmigrants" (visitors or workers) for a limited period. Although they are expected to return home at the end of their visit, there is no effective means for detecting those who do not.
wire fence
March 28, 2012 National Security

Immigration and National Border Security

The primary concern of immigration law is to maintain national security through border control and the ability of federal authorities to detect and deter threats from foreign terrorists on U.S. soil.
Persistent Inaction: Inviting International Terrorism
January 31, 2011 National Security

Identity and Immigration Status of 9/11 Terrorists

According to authorities, all of the hijackers who committed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were foreigners. All of them entered the country legally on a temporary visa, mostly tourist visas with entry permits for six months.
National Security 2010 Report
February 17, 2010 National Security

Immigration and National Security: 2010 Update

The 2010 update focuses on continuing national security gaps in border control, legal entry screening, tracking foreigners in the United States, and secure identification. The reforms needed to close those gaps are identified.
Backsliding on National Security
September 11, 2009 National Security

Backsliding on National Security: The Immigration Connection

In a public relations campaign that evokes the image of Orwellian “newspeak,” the Department of Homeland Security has announced a long list of accomplishments in improving national security while at the same time it has adopted a number of measures that represent a significant backsliding on national security. If only the rhetoric is heard, the public may think its safety is in good hands. If, however, recent actions concerning the illegal alien population and the flow of foreign nationals into and out of the country are examined, a very different picture emerges.
ID Card generic rotator
April 1, 2009 National Security

Comparing Real ID and Pass ID

In response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to establish uniform security requirements for State-issued drivers’ licenses and identification cards.
Real ID
April 1, 2009 National Security

REAL ID

The recommendation of the 9/11 Commission led to the adoption of the REAL ID Act in early 2005. It is a measure designed to encourage the states to change their lax driver's license standards.
National Security 2008 Report
February 1, 2008 National Security

Immigration and National Security (2008)

On this seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this report finds that while some progress has been achieved in closing the vulnerabilities exploited by the 9/11 attackers, several loopholes still remain. The report details many of the important tasks that have been neglected, or, because of pressure from special interest groups, have been brushed aside. The screening of people seeking non-immigrant visas remains superficial, while vital data necessary to keep track of legal visitors to the United States is not being collected. In addition, America's borders remain insecure, presenting an inviting target for terrorists and others who wish to do us harm.
Identification Secure Just Makes Sense
April 1, 2005 National Security

What Makes Identification Secure?

A secure identification system is one that allows people's identity documents to be verified as belonging to them and, thereby, prohibits others from assuming that person's identity. In the case of ATM cards, the PIN number serves as a verification method that the person using the card is authorized to use it.
Secure Fingerprint
April 1, 2002 National Security

Secure Identification

The terrorist attacks of September 11th have proven that the United States is long overdue for a reliable and comprehensive identification system. Each terrorist had obtained a Social Security card and state-issued driver's license that they used to board the planes in order to attack our country. Learn FAIR's take on this issue in this report.