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Guerilla’s in our midst: The Immigration Loophole

AP/ Najibullah Zazi

 Foreigners such as Hosam Smadi, a young Jordanian that came from a country that maintains good ties with America. Yet Smadi plotted to blow up a Dallas skyscraper, and wage a jihad war against American citizen.

 

 

Smadi represents only a few of the high profile cases that we are witnessing today. The question remains, how many others like Mr. Smadi are still at large on the streets of America-and how many of those are actively plotting to conduct guerilla style war against the people they live and work among.

 

With the astonishing 39 million foreigners visit the USA each year it comes as no surprise that a small percentage of these visitors would bear hostilities towards America. These are the people that live, work and play on the streets of America, their children attend the same schools, and their families shop at the same stores as their neighbors. We have come to accept their presence among us-relying on government agencies to insure that these foreigners are not dangerous jihadist and radicals.

 

That alone places everyone at great risk. Take for example the case of the Bosnian teenager, Sulejman Talovic, that killed five people in a rampage at a Salt Lake City shopping mall. Even though law enforcement officials were unwilling to call this crime a terrorist act, the family and friends of the shooter glorified his martyrdom actions. At his funeral in Bosnia, he was hailed as a hero for having killed americans.

 

This tragic case exemplifies the very essence of America’s immigration policies. Even though the Talovic family was granted alien residence status in the United States, they brought with them the baggage of religious fanaticism existent of their home country. A country that has been wrecked due to a war propagated for religious extremes, and which ultimately resulted in ethnic cleansing operations on both sides of the battle lines.

 

The difficulty is confounded by the lack of on-going enforcement of registered aliens. Once their resident alien status has been approved there is nobody keeping an eye on these immigrants. Other than filling out some required documents, these foreigners are free to pursue whatever they want-and no one in the Federal Government cares after that.

 

Considering the immensity of our country’s open borders. It would be relatively easy for terrorists to penetrate the sanctity of America. Given the lack of containment barriers, reduced border patrols, and lack of federal funding in securing our borders, the jihadists are in all probability already firmly entrenched within mainstream America.

 

Currently in several states law enforcement officers are prohibited from “profiling” immigrants, and criminal courts are essentially powerless in the face of contemporary policies designed and implemented by self-serving organization claiming 4^th Amendment rights and other constitutional liberties-such as the Open Borders Group. In essence law enforcement agencies are ham-strung, and the Federal government has limited resources, manpower, and motivation to seek apprehension of these would be terrorist. Only when faced with the after-effects of heinous crimes, are various law enforcements agencies brought into play. Admittedly, a series of high profile arrests have been conducted in recent months. But one must raise the specter of doubt considering the number of foreigners that have overstayed their visa, that haven’t been located-some of whom sustain their hatred for America, although existing without attracting law enforcement scrutiny towards themselves. In essence; they faded into American society, and remain at large, and protected under various civil liberty laws even though their status is illegal.

 

Registered aliens living in the United States could potentially operate as forward logistical elements for terrorists crossing undetected through our southern borders. The mere fact that Immigration Services and Border Patrol cannot stop the flow of Hispanic illegal’s, speaks volumes when confronted with a well organized and determined groups of terrorist invading across the Texas-Arizona borders with the intent of fading onto the streets of America. Having a “safe house” from which to operate out of makes this scenario even more plausible. Yet, little is done to monitor what these immigrants are actually doing.

 

A case in point would be Najibullah Zazi, a 24 year old immigrant from Afghanistan that was able to pass the necessary background checks to work at the Denver Airport. His case is typical, and frightening at the same time. The only evidence of his hatred for America that brought his case to the attention of federal investigators, was the fact that he associated himself with members of a terrorist cell that was already being watched and investigated. Had he remained inconspicuous, it’s likely that his plans would have been successful. Hundreds, if not thousands of innocent people would have been slaughtered due to this oversight in immigration policies. Fundamentally; foreigners, especially those from hostile mid-east countries, are allowed to live unencumbered by government checks and balances that keep a watchful eye on their activities.

 

Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries donate millions of dollars each year towards establishment of Islamic societies, mosque’s, and remote villages, such as those in the New England states. These donations provide material support for Muslims living in these camps, and proliferate the spread of Islamic influence within their respective areas. The problem arises when law enforcement agencies are not permitted to enter the property without a search warrant, or even investigate its members due to current anti-profiling policies. Even after incidents having been reported by the group’s neighbors that firearms training were being conducted at these locations, law enforcement agencies could not enter the property without permission,, and judges are unwilling to grant search warrants-a policy that is inherently dangerous-potentially providing terrorist cells a loophole from in which to operate on American soil.

 

Alaska saw a growth of the immigration population as well. Between 1996 and 2006 there were 12,951 Alaska Immigrant Admissions. The Department of Homeland Security statistics reveal that a high percentage of these immigrants are between the ages of 25 and 34 years old. 111 of them being single men with no occupations or working outside of the home. Reports also collaborate the fact that nearly 316 of immigrant men came to America under the sponsorship of their immediate family members already residing in Alaska. Yet, none of the 1,534 immigrants coming to Alaska in 2008 admit to ever having served in a foreign military services.

 

As Americans go about their day to day life, there are purported to be several rogue terrorist cells within the country’s borders. Cells that operate with almost seemingly impunity from the ever watchful eyes of law enforcement agencies. Their activities and plans are well funded, and their members adept at integrating themselves into American culture.

 

The only warning signs evident are those reported by people coming into occasional contact with members of these cells. Warning signs that oftentimes are difficult to see, and later reveal the true nature of what these people view as a holy war against America and it’s people.

 

Since the various federal agencies, and local law enforcement entities are limited in their abilities to indentify, and monitor activities that would suggest potential terrorist living in our midst, it leaves the bulk of that responsibility to every American citizen. That is not to declare that every foreigner should be viewed as a terrorist, but it would suggest that certain activities should be viewed and scrutinized as a possible harbinger of behavior that fall outside of accepted American culture.

 

Excessive congratulatory attitude towards terrorist operating against Coalition forces.

 

Admiration of jihadist victories, methods, and operations.

 

Posting inflammatory rhetoric against Israel and other western nations on the internet.

 

Inciting hatred and hostile diatribe against democracy,  America, and other western nations.

 

Observing several people coming and going from a residence-particularly if there seems to be a nonstop procession of outsiders arriving and leaving the area.

 

Purchasing a large amounts of weapons or ammunition.

 

Interests in military tactics, equipment, and explosives-where none existed previously.

 

Openly verbalizing inflammatory anti-american ideologies.

 

Disproportionate interest in photographing national landmarks, office buildings, and other structures.

 

Creating maps and charts of areas within the cities, as well as charting public transportation schedules.

 

Other indicative factors might include mobile telephone numbers that change every few weeks. Instant Credit Card usage, as well as using check cashing businesses instead of opening valid bank accounts.

 

Having no verifiable employment, or demonstrable financial resources, yet always having enough money to pay for month to month living expenses.

 

The US Census Bureau states that between 2000 and 2006, the number of foreign residents increased by 10.6 percent, bringing the number of resident aliens to 40,000 in Alaska.

 

Even though Alaska has a relatively small percentage of immigration population, as opposed to other states across the nation, Alaskan’s should not allow national immigration policies, as well as law enforcement trends to reflect an attitude that represents an apathetic approach in identifying and monitoring immigrant aliens. A proactive approach is required. One that adequately reflects the immigrants right to be free from invasive government tactics, yet also provides Alaska residents with long term assurances that immigrants displaying radical activities will quickly be identified and scrutinized to the fullest extent of the law.

 

Failure to create a system of checks and balances to counter radicalization of immigrants could result in calamitous consequences for Alaskan’s and it’s economy.