Miller targets terrorists who exploit U.S. visa process

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller held a congressional hearing on Tuesday to study the issue of potential terrorists who do not sneak into the country but merely overstay their visas.

Miller, chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, and her colleagues heard testimony from John Cohen, deputy counter-terrorism coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security, and Peter Edge, deputy associate director for Homeland Security Investigations.

Prior to the hearing, Miller, a Harrison Township Republican, laid out the problem:

“Since 9/11 our border security efforts have been focused on securing our borders. However, more than 40 percent of all illegal aliens do not sneak across the border, they come in through the front door and never leave.  The recent case of Amine el-Khalifi, an individual who allegedly attempted to conduct a suicide attack at the U.S. Capitol, is not the first time terrorists have exploited the visa process.

“In fact, el-Khalifi follows a long line of terrorists, including several of the 9/11 hijackers, who overstayed their visa and went on to conduct terror attacks.  Clearly more must be done to ensure the security of the visa system, including enhancements to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ability to identify and promptly remove those who overstay their visa.

“What is especially troubling is that el-Khalifi lived illegally in the U.S. for more than 13 years before being identified by law enforcement.  (We will) will examine the progress made since 2003 in indentifying overstays, especially those that pose national security and public safety threats, and how the Department of Homeland Security plans to implement a robust visa exit system that will prevent terrorists from successfully exploiting the visa process.”