 Terror
in America
By Dimitrina KorchevaOn September 11th the United States suffered
the worst terrorist attack in American history. Several thousands of
innocent people, among them many children, died because of this
terrible act of hatred and violence. This is not only a blow to
America, but also to all people in the world who believe in freedom,
liberty and human rights. Millions of people were shocked to learn
of this cowardly act upon human life and pondered on its meaning for
the future of humanity and civilization.
The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and on the
Pentagon in Washington D.C. have given rise to many disturbing
questions about U.S. foreign and domestic policies, border security,
immigration, and civil liberties. These questions are so fundamental
to America's principles that there have been no easy answers in the
weeks after the assaults.
Immediately following the attacks security along the borders with
Mexico and Canada was tightened. The Canadian border was placed on
the highest alert ever. American officials now concede that this has
long been a weak point in American security. Representative to the
U.S. Congress Loretta Sanchez (Democrat from Santa Anna) says:
"People think that just because they're Canadians and a majority of
them look like us that somehow there's no smuggling, no drugs."
Following the attacks the U.S. and Canada have become more concerned
with the possibility of terrorists entering the U.S. through our
northern neighbor. U.S. ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci said:
"To have immigration policies that are more consistent would be
helpful, and I do think it's one of the questions we have to address
in the aftermath of the attacks."
Mexican officials in Tijuana were also on the alert. "We have
been in contact with U.S. authorities and, yes, they have asked that
we be more vigilant," said Raul Zarate, a spokesman for the National
Immigration Institute's station in Tijuana. "But no one is saying
these foreigners are terrorists."
The terrorist attacks also come at a time when momentum had been
building for an amnesty for illegal Mexican immigrants. As
Immigration Times reports in this issue [please see In Brief] there
are approximately 3 million undocumented workers from Mexico living
in the United States. Talks between president Bush and Mexican
president Vicente Fox have given rise to hope for many of these
immigrants to receive the right to legalize their status so that
they can legally live and work in the United States.
The attacks have dampened enthusiasm for this process on both
sides. Ana Maria Salazar, foreign affairs specialist in the
newspaper Reforma wrote: "It's difficult to imagine that, at this
point, President Bush would support a program to legalize millions
of immigrants."
Anti-immigrant and anti-amnesty groups across the United States
are quick to warn of liberalizing U.S. immigration policy. Mark
Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies,
an immigration restrictionist think tank in Washington D.C. says:
The issue of amnesty for illegal Mexican aliens is out of the
question, it's defunct." He believes the U.S. needs to revise its
immigration policy and to enact stricter rules for those seeking
entry to the country: "A temporary reduction in legal immigration
and the admission of temporary workers and students is essential to
allow the overhaul of our immigration infrastructure," claims Mr.
Krikorian.
Other groups believe there should be no rushing to conclusions.
"There's no relationship between immigration and terrorism," says
Cecilia Munoz, vice president of the National Council of LaRaza, an
immigration advocacy group. "People who don't like immigration like
to suggest there's a connection." Although it is too early to tell
what the repercussions will be, some believe the events of September
11 should not be allowed to affect the way immigration policy is
formed. Demetrious Papdemetrious, head of the Migration Policy
Institute believes this is fundamental to U.S. integrity: "I think
we have to take Preseident Bush at his word," he says. "The business
of the country is not going to come to a stop because of this event.
Trying to resolve the issues between the U.S. and Mexico is one of
the things the country needs to do."
There is also debate over a broader concern in U.S. society. The
question of civil liberties is one that has traditionally been
central to America's ideals. Fear born from the terrorist assaults
has sparked demands for greater restrictions at all levels. The U.S.
Federal Aviation Administration has already enacted several
restrictive measures. Passenger searches, seizures and racial
profiling are expected to increase. 1000 so-called "sky marshals"
are now being trained in an effort to increase security on board of
planes. "The pressure to let the police do what they want to do is
just going to be enormous," says Yale Kamisar, a law professor at
the University of Michigan.
The U.S. House of Representatives has enacted a measure that will
allocate $40 billion for the restoration of the damages, as well as
to counter domestic and international terrorism. The Senate has
approved legislation that makes it easier for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) to get warrants to electronically track computer
transmissions, wire tapping of telephones, easier prosecution of
terrorists, not to mention extradition. Attorney General John
Ashcroft announced that the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS) is now allowing federal agents to detain immigrants for up to
48 hours without in effect charging them with a crime. Another
proposal would allow the INS to detain indefinitely, and even
deport, foreigners deemed likely to commit terrorist acts, even
without evidence.
"Every time there's been in American history a serious threat,
there's been a suppression of civil liberties," says Erwin
Chemerinsky, professor of constitutional and criminal law at the
University of Southern California Law School. However, "in
hindsight," he reminds, "none of those did anything to enhance
security." He adds that "if a tragedy causes us to take away basic
rights, then the terrorists have won and - like the lives lost -
have taken away something that is very precious."
American society is now confronted with a multitude of dilemmas,
and dealing with anger is one of them. This has also given rise to
questions of revenge that are lurking everywhere. Reports of
assaults over Muslims and other recently arrived immigrants
throughout the country have prompted Americans from all walks of
life to appeal to traditional American values of tolerance.
Immigrants are an integral part of our history and strength. "This
nation's tradition is one of immigrants," said U.S. Attorney General
Janet Reno. "And if we no longer have immigrants we'll be a weaker
nation." She also spoke of her own grandfather, an immigrant from
Denmark, who did not speak English when he first arrived in America,
a fate shared by most of our ancestors.
The attacks on the World Trade Center have unleashed feelings of
fear and suspicion in American society, a society traditionally
known for embracing people from all over the world. Reports of
attacks on innocent Muslims in some parts of America prompted
President Bush to visit a mosque in Washington D.C. He strongly
condemned the various acts of violence and intolerance: "That should
not and that will not stand in America," Mr. Bush said. He made of
point of singling out those responsible for inciting hatred
throughout society. "Those who feel like they can intimidate our
fellow citizens to take out their anger don't represent the best of
America. They represent the worst of humankind, and they should be
ashamed of that kind of behavior," Mr. Bush underlined.
A dialog among all people in America today is bringing out the
reasons for the fear, hatred, and suspicion that have become so
strong in these difficult times. Many in American society are fully
aware of the fact that letting hatred and prejudice take over is
letting the terrorists win. Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the
Council on American-Islamic Relations warned: "You've got a
horrendous loss of life and property, and you've got heightened
emotions bordering on hysteria because of it, and that's where this
[wave of hate crimes] is coming from.
America is now facing a terrible dilemma. It must draw a fine
balance between security of its citizens and protecting the civil
rights of people in America. The country will without doubt emerge
from these difficult times by drawing from its traditions,
traditions of freedom and tolerance, that have made America the
Promised Land for millions of people around the world. |
