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Visa Security Measures Scrutinized by Congressman Bilirakis |
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WASHINGTON (4 Oct.) --
U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the House Committee on
Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global
Counterterrorism, today questioned Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) officials during a hearing on overseas counterterrorism
coordination, about the security of visa issuance to foreigners seeking
entry into the United States.
Bilirakis questioned DHS
Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marisa Lino, and Deputy
Assistant Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Gary Cote,
about a program that assigns DHS officers to overseas visa-issuing
locations to enhance efforts to prevent terrorists, criminals, and
other ineligible applicants from receiving U.S. visas.
"I am
greatly concerned that visas only be issued to those who truly deserve
them and that we ensure that visa holders are abiding by the terms of
their entry into this country," Bilirakis said. "I believe that we must
do a better job checking the backgrounds of those seeking to enter the
United States and determining whether prospective visa holders are
seeking temporary admission for the right reasons."
Congressman
Bilirakis questioned the integrity of the international student visa
system in particular during a hearing last month with Homeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff. During that hearing, Bilirakis cited the
federal indictment of two University of South Florida (USF) students of
Egyptian-origin on explosives charges, one of which was in the U.S. on
a student visa despite reportedly having a criminal record in Egypt.
Bilirakis
has since been briefed on the circumstances of the case surrounding the
USF students by DHS officials. He is considering drafting legislation
to strengthen existing visa security measures.
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