A Message from Attorney General John Ashcroft

"We are integrating all of our intelligence and law enforcement databases to create the most sophisticated name-checking database in the world so that we can check applicants rapidly and accurately. We are training all of our border officers and immigration officials. Still, implementing the procedures consistently in the way we would like is a great challenge. It is our goal to find the balance between security and openness and to continue to welcome legitimate visitors from all over the world."