the INS and "welcome to the USA"

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 11:37:52 -0500
From:

Dave, as the source of my info are first hand, and very concerned about 
retribution regarding the facts described below, and can be relatively 
easily traced if my name was posted, would appreciate anonymity on their 
behalf.



-----------------------------



Dave,

Northwest Airlines admission today that, contrary to previous denials, it 
gave passenger info to US government sponsored entities working on 
combatting terrorism, my recent conversations reported below provoke 
further concerns.

I was talking to some friends recently who are citizens of strong US allies 
(ie, long time NATO countries) who are frequent visitors to US on business, 
academic conferences and cultural, educational pursuits

They indicated that many professional, business colleagues are increasingly 
treated by INS agents at airports with unprecedented rudeness, increased 
scrutiny, and in many instances deported summarily (after being held 12-24 
hrs at airport holding facilities absent access to help from their 
countries' diplomatic reps) and /or told to leave the country within 14 
days of re-entry to US -- merely because they have too many entry stamps to 
the US in their Visas or Passports.

Great way to treat the opinion 'leadership class' of our vital economic, 
academic and diplomatic partners throughout the world.

No one argues that post 9/11 we have to be much more careful about our 
borders' security. However, abuse of legitimate frequent visitors is sure 
to be counter productive.

Treatment of frequent business, academic and legitimate pleasure travellers 
to the US receive from INS agents at airports is repeatedly reported to be 
rude, and downright intimidating.

Numerous detentions are reported where detainees are not allowed any 
contact with family members, professional  colleagues waiting at the 
airport, or even representatives of their local embassy. In some instances 
not even US State Department or even US DOD Department officials have been 
able, or willing, to intercede in case of diplomats being so treated.

It seems that INS agents, now under authority of the Dept of Homeland 
Security have no effective review of their actions. Hardly comforting when 
considering the abrogation of our civil liberties in the name of 'national 
security.

Seems that the Homeland Security administration has unrestricted power to 
deal with visitors to US in the name of national security. With even the 
State and Defense Departments having no power to intervene even on behalf 
of visitors so abused having DOD security clearances !!  How troubling such 
reports are.

Apparently this administration still believes, wrongly, that national 
security can be won or maintained only through raw military power.

Absent the goodwill and pro-active assistance of our allies and friends, we 
have no chance to effectively combat terrorism motivated by ideological 
nihilists.

Abuse of our friends and allies most pro-US representatives (otherwise why 
would they be travelling to US so much on business, academic exchange, and 
other cultural pursuits??) is hardly an effective 'homeland security' strategy.

Hopefully presidential candidates of both parties in the coming election 
will be asked how they will assure that the 'war on terrorism' is not used 
misguidedly to destroy America's goodwill overseas, is effectively carried 
out, absent abuse of US and non-US citizens through misapplication of 
Homeland Security Dept's and the Patriot Act.

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