Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The United States remains vulnerable to infiltration by known criminals and terrorists because of chronic delays in making millions of FBI fingerprints available to the Border Patrol (search), Justice Department investigators reported Tuesday.
It probably will take at least four more years for the FBI and Border Patrol systems to be combined in a way that would allow for a quick, automated check of fingerprints for the roughly 1 million illegal immigrants who are caught each year, Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine found.
That means thousands who could be prosecuted for crimes or detained as security risks will be simply returned to their home countries, free to try to re-enter the United States, the report found.
"We believe this continues the significant risk that aliens who should be detained ... instead will be released because Border Patrol agents will not learn of their significant criminal or deportation history," Fine said in the report.
The report is only the latest to find fault with U.S. efforts to secure airports, seaports and border crossings in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. It was released the same day President Bush marked the first anniversary of creation of the Homeland Security Department by insisting progress is being made.
Posted by Suzanne at March 3, 2004