Congress probing links between immigration, terrorism

As Congress begins grappling with the question of how to tighten border security, lawmakers have introduced more than 90 immigration-related bills so far-many focusing on homeland security concerns. At issue: Can the nation tighten security while protecting the rights of legal immigrants?

Some U.S. citizens have turned their anger at the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists against all immigrants, a position "contrary to the tradition our country was founded on," Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said last week. Meanwhile, House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and ranking member John Conyers, D-Mich., have urged Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to focus on immigration issues.

The proposed legislation covers a range of issues-from trying to restrict immigration to providing more manpower at the border. Jackson Lee is sponsoring several measures, including one calling for a study of traffic stops along the border. Conyers has introduced a bill amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to guarantee due process in immigration proceedings and require reports from the attorney general on those detained after Sept. 11, 2001.

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., is calling for background checks of alien flight crew applicants no matter what size the aircraft. Background checks are now required only for aircraft with a takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more.

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, wants closer scrutiny of student and diversity visa applications from those from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and other nations believed to sponsor terrorism or from where terrorist have come. "Student visas should not serve as an easy revolving door that allows our worst enemies to live among us," Paul said in introducing his bill.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., is calling for a moratorium on immigration. And Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Joseph Biden, D-Del., has reintroduced a bill that would give as many as 500 Iraqi weapons scientists safe haven in the United States. A similar measure cleared the Senate last year, but never made it out of the House Judiciary Committee.

Several bills deal with the need for more help in monitoring those entering the United States. A comprehensive border security bill introduced last week by Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., includes money for improving border infrastructure and adding personnel. And this Wednesday, the House Judiciary Immigration and Technology subcommittees will take a closer look at how to keep terrorists out of the United States.