Immigration and Terrorism: Moving Beyond the 9/11 Staff Report on Terrorist Travel

Abstract

The report makes a case for anti-terrorism through immigration, by connecting 96 arrested terrorists to immigration fraud. "The report builds on prior work done by 9/11 Commission and the Center for Immigration Studies, providing more information than has been previously been made public. The findings show widespread terrorist violations of immigration laws. The report highlights the danger of our lax immigration system, not just in terms of who is allowed in, but also how terrorists, once in the country, used weaknesses in the system to remain here. The report makes clear that strict enforcement of immigration law – at American consulates overseas, at ports of entry, and within the United States – must be an integral part of our efforts to prevent future attacks on U.S. soil."