Critics: Canadian Immigration Laws Pose Threat

[USAFLady]

Tuesday, October 21, 2003

LOS ANGELES — The United States' immigration policy focuses on putting the squeeze on the Mexican border to stop illegal immigrants from entering the country. But the real threat, some say, comes from lax Canadian immigration laws (search) that may be putting Americans at risk.

Canadian intelligence experts say that country's immigration policies are a disaster. Twenty years ago, Canada admitted 500 refugees from around the world, but last year, 40,000 people were allowed in.

Terrorism experts say it's not just how many illegal immigrants are being allowed in, but who is entering the country that is a concern.

After the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the United States tightened security measures and set up an immigration registration system. Rather than registering, many Middle Eastern men went to Canada where laws allow refugees to enter with little scrutiny and stay indefinitely.

"Given the lack of restriction on those claiming refugee status in Canada at the border, I don't know how you could assert we are not bringing in terrorists among other well meaning people," said Dave Harris, a Canadian intelligence expert.

For example, Ahmed Ressam (search), an Algerian convicted of plotting to bomb Los Angeles Airport (search) on New Year's Eve 2000, lived in Canada as a refugee. He was arrested in December 1999 as he tried to bring explosives across the U.S. border from Canada.

Arab-Americans accuse the United States of selective enforcement, discriminating against millions to find a few people. They say they're unfair victims of an immigration dragnet that is sending law-abiding Muslims to Canada, home, or underground.

But security experts say to catch a few terrorists, U.S. law enforcement needs the cooperation of many, and right now, Canadian immigration laws aren't helping.

Thoughts ????? Opinions????????

[Export]

If your neighbor one day got attacked in his home, you'd probably help him out a bit and keep your eyes open for unsavoury characters about the neighborhood. Work together, so you both can protect yourselves a bit.

If that same neighbor, a few months later, knocks on your door and tells you who can or cannot enter your home, you'd probably tell him to go mind his own business.

THE END

[fourteen]

That's one way to look at it. I had to read it a couple times to figure out who was who there... But I get what you are saying.

The funny thing is that the USA is what it is today because of it's open door policies of immigration. There are no true native Americans who are not of Indian blood.

Canada is the best neighbour the USA could possibly have in my opinion.

[Export]

Hello everyone! This article jumped out at me and seems to fit this thread. It seems like a good idea (to me, anyways.) Reference to <vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_prints20031107>.



U.S. fingerprinting Canadians for visas
WebPosted Nov 7 2003 06:24 PM PST

VANCOUVER - The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver has begun fingerprinting Canadians who want to work or study south of the border, as part of a new U.S. security program.

People will be fingerprinted three times – at the Consulate, at the border on the way into the U.S. and then again on leaving the United States.

Vancouver's U.S. Consulate General Bradford Johnson says there's a reason for the extra sets of fingerprints.

"We want to to determine that the person who enters the U.S. is the same person who applied for the visa," he says.

U.S. officials say the fingerprint records won't be shared with the FBI or the CIA – unless those agencies inquire about a specific person.

But Canadian privacy watchdogs aren't feeling reasssured. "You tend to think these agencies who are very close will share the information," says Kirk Tousaw of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

Johnson says tougher visa rules have been in place since 9/11, and he insists this new program will not deter skilled Canadian workers from seeking employment in the U.S..

He also says there are no plans to fingerprint Canadians crossing the border on holiday.