Hi Gang:
I have just read an article of interest in Government Executive Magazine that I think should be required reading for all of the members of Congress, especially those who still do not understand or perhaps, refuse to understand that the enforcement of the immigration laws is a significant component of national security. The article addresses, in abbreviated form, the advice that the GAO (the General Accountability Office) of the United States government has provided to our legislators.
Let me cut to the chase and copy a critical sentence here that makes the same point I have been making for a number of years, including when I have testified before Congressional hearings:
"Among near-term oversight needs, Walker included such high-visibility issues as overseeing the effective integration of the agencies that form the Homeland Security Department, ensuring the collection of royalties on oil produced from federal lands, enhancing the enforcement of immigration laws and deterring identity theft by controlling the use of Social Security numbers. He did not list the items in order of priority."
The article also contains a link to the actual 44 page document that David M. Walker, the GAO Comptroller General sent to Congress to address his concerns that formed the basis for the article I attached below. The link to the document is:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07235r.pdf
Additionally, it is worth paying special attention to pages 12 and 16 of that document. Page 12 is entitled, "Enhance Border Security and Enforcement of the immigration Laws." Page 16 is entitled, Enhance Computer Security and Deter Identity Theft." After you read these pages, try to imagine how any member of our government could not understand the clear nexus between the security of our borders and the creation of integrity of the immigration system and the ongoing war on terrorism. Those members of Congress who can read these words on these pages and not realize that regardless of how beholden they may be to the deep-pocketed contributors and special interest groups, they must make the immigration crisis their priority; period! The article makes it clear that the immigration system lacks integrity and that this lack of integrity threatens our nations security and our citizens' survival. If the system cannot deal with the issues they face on a daily basis now, regardless of any other consideration where any sort of guest worker amnesty program is concerned, (and there is a laundry list of additional reasons why such an amnesty program is utterly wrong and dangerous) the system would not be able to deal with the avalanche of applications other than to ultimately cause the over-worked, beleaguered bureaucrats of USCIS to provide criminals and terrorists with new identities that could be used to game the system and circumvent the various terror watch lists and so-called no fly lists and prepare to launch terrorists attacks against the citizens of our nation as they did on a number of previous occasions, most notably February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001. I would challenge the intelligence as well as the morality and integrity of any politician who could read this material and then not endorse measures that secure our borders and create an immigration system that possesses true integrity.
I have a simple request to those of you who read this e-mail. Please forward it, with any comments you may have, to all of your elected representatives on the local as well as the federal and state level. Any community that creates a sanctuary for illegal aliens is part of the problem and not part of the solution we so desperately need! Please keep track of the way that these elected representatives vote on the relevant issues and then, when you vote to determine whether or not to re-elect those who purport to represent you, remember what they have done on these issues. It is important that when you send this material to those politicians, that you remind them that they are supposed to represent you and the best interests of our nation.
For the sake of convenience, I have attached those pages below (I have highlighted the particular sentences of I think you should pay more attention to). The material contained on page 12 is self-evident in terms its relevance to the immigration crisis confronting our nation. The material on page 16 deals with the use of Social Security Numbers and the ways in which stolen or bogus numbers permit illegal aliens to seek illegal employment in the United States and also, though not stated, have enabled criminals as well as terrorists to conceal their true identities by creating false identities and embedding themselves in various communities, using those stolen or false Social Security Numbers as camouflage. This issue should be addressed to facilitate the enforcement of immigration laws as well as to further our nation's efforts to protect the law abiding citizens and residents of the United States from identity theft and related criminal activities, combating organized crime groups as well as terrorist organizations.
Please pass this along to everyone you known so that they can also understand these issues and become involved in the political process. Democracy absolutely requires the participation of the citizens of this country! Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Lead, follow or get out of the way!
-michael cutler-
Page 12 GAO-07-235R Potential Oversight Issues
Enhance Border Security and
Enforcement of Existing Immigration Laws
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, showed how weak border security measures and ineffective enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws could be exploited to a tragic end. Although enhancing passport and visa security procedures, securing the borders and enforcing immigration laws have received increased funding and attention, millions of aliens live and work in the United States after entering the country illegally or overstaying the terms of a visa. This may present a significant national security challenge and could adversely affect citizens who compete with illegal aliens for jobs and bear immigration-related costs. The Departments of State and Homeland Security (DHS) have taken some steps to address these challenges, such as deploying additional personnel and technology overseas and at the borders, and using computer verification systems to detect fraudulent documents and reduce employment of unauthorized foreign workers. However, successful implementation of these steps has often been hampered by inadequate planning and guidance, misaligned priorities and resources, and outdated information technology systems. Additional congressional oversight can help ensure that travel document, border security, and immigration enforcement initiatives are yielding improved national and economic security for our nation’s citizens.
Key Topics Needing Congressional Oversight
• Assess DHS progress in implementing the multibillion-dollar Secure Border Initiative program to secure the borders.
• Assess existing enforcement of laws that prohibit the employment of illegal aliens.
• Require DHS to better balance its resources devoted to border security and enforcing immigration laws in the interior.
• Assess DHS efforts to provide high-quality and timely services to legal immigrants.
• Assess DHS and State Department efforts to improve passport and visa security procedures and in mitigating risks in the visa waiver program.
Selected GAO Products
Border Security: US-VISIT Program faces Strategic, Operational, and Technological Challenges at Land Ports of Entry. GAO-07-56. November 13, 2006.
Border Security: Stronger Actions Needed to Assess and Mitigate Risks of the Visa Waiver Program. GAO-06-854. June 28, 2006.
Immigration Benefits: Improvements Needed to Address Backlogs and Ensure Quality of Adjudications. GAO-06-20. November 21, 2005.
Immigration Enforcement: Weaknesses Hinder Employment Verification and Worksite Enforcement Efforts. GAO-05-813. August 31, 2005.
Overstay Tracking: A Key Component of Homeland Security and a Layered Defense. GAO-04-82. May 21, 2004.
Primary GAO Contacts
Richard M. Stana, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, (202) 512-8816, stanar@gao.gov.
Jess T. Ford, Director, International Affairs and Trade, (202) 512-4268, fordj@gao.gov.
Page 16 GAO-07-235R Potential Oversight Issues
Enhance Computer Security and Deter Identity Theft
Over the last several years, identity theft and the need to protect personal information has received heightened national attention. Recent incidents of data theft and loss at federal agencies expose Americans to increased risk of identity theft and raise concern about how well the federal government is securing its computer systems; protecting sensitive information from unauthorized use, disclosure, and modification; and notifying the public when data breaches occur. Moreover, the aggregation of personal information and Social Security Numbers (SSN), in large corporate databases and the display of SSNs in public records have provided opportunities for identity thieves. Thus, SSNs are a valuable commodity for persons seeking to assume another individual’s identity or to commit financial crimes. Fraudulent and stolen SSNs are also frequently used by noncitizens to work illegally in the United States. Although the Congress has passed a number of laws to address this issue, the continued reliance on SSNs by private and public-sector entities underscores the need for increased vigilance.
Key Topics Needing Congressional Oversight
• Establish accountability measures for implementing effective information security programs at federal agencies, including effective policies and practices for detecting, responding, and reporting information on security incidents.
• Provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with additional tools to further strengthen its processes for issuing SSNs and replacement cards and continue to assess options for making Social Security cards and other identity documents less vulnerable to alteration and counterfeiting.
• Enhance data sharing between SSA, other federal agencies, and the states to better verify information submitted by individuals seeking public benefits or services and require that SSA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service work collaboratively on to deter SSN abuse and violations of immigration laws.
• Reduce the presence and display of SSNs in state and local public records.
• Re-examine current gaps in federal requirements for safeguarding SSNs and other personal information used by private sector companies.
Selected GAO Products
Information Security: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Needs to Improve Controls Over Key Communication Network. GAO-06-750. August 30, 2006.
Personal Information: Key Federal Privacy Laws Do Not Require Information Resellers to Safeguard All Sensitive Data. GAO-06-674. June 26, 2006.
Information Security: Leadership Needed to Address Weaknesses and Privacy Issues at Veterans Affairs. GAO-06-897T. June 20, 2006.
Social Security Administration: Improved Agency Coordination Needed for Social Security Card Enhancement Efforts. GAO-06-303. March 29, 2006.
Primary GAO Contacts
Gregory Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, (202) 512-6244, wilshuseng@gao.gov.
Daniel Bertoni, Acting Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, (202) 512-5988, bertonid@gao.gov.
Page 16 GAO-07-235R Potential Oversight Issues
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1106/112006m1.htm
DAILY BRIEFING
November 20, 2006
GAO offers oversight advice to new Congress
By Jenny Mandel
jmandel@govexec.com
The head of the Government Accountability Office on Monday laid out a series of 36 priorities for oversight in the 110th Congress, urging lawmakers to work constructively to make progress and to avoid "a further erosion of the public's trust and confidence in government."
Comptroller General David M. Walker listed 15 priorities for near-term action, 13 areas in which fundamental reform and reengineering are needed, and eight issues that he said should be addressed for an effective, 21st century government. Walker has said previously that his list would be the same whether Republicans or Democrats controlled congressional agendas in 2007.
Among near-term oversight needs, Walker included such high-visibility issues as overseeing the effective integration of the agencies that form the Homeland Security Department, ensuring the collection of royalties on oil produced from federal lands, enhancing the enforcement of immigration laws and deterring identity theft by controlling the use of Social Security numbers. He did not list the items in order of priority.
Walker also recommended that lawmakers focus on reducing the gap between taxes owed and those collected, transform the U.S. Postal Service's business model, address business operations problems at the Defense Department and take up governmentwide contracting issues.
He flagged the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, refining national plans for responding to catastrophic events, tax code reform, reshaping Medicare and Medicaid and reexamining the educational system, among other areas in need of "fundamental reform and reengineering."
Walker highlighted eight issues that Congress should address to ensure an "economical, efficient, effective, ethical and equitable" federal government for the 21st century. Those included efforts to modernize the federal government's personnel system, ensure government transparency and reassess the political appointment process.
Walker also urged lawmakers to review the need for budget controls, including pay-as-you-go requirements, and to review the effectiveness of the federal audit and accountability community. In addition, he urged lawmakers to assess the effects of a laundry list of management reform programs.
"I'm grateful for GAO's suggestions," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who will take over chairmanship of the House Government Reform Committee next year. "GAO is an expert on oversight, and its recommendations for oversight topics will be very helpful in setting priorities for next year."
In a letter introducing his priority list, Walker reiterated his commitment to address the deficit and long-term fiscal challenges the country faces, and said GAO would update its high-risk list of government activities in January.
"Most of the federal government's current policies, programs, functions and activities are based on conditions that existed decades ago, are not results-based and are not well aligned with 21st century realities," Walker said.
This document is located at http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1106/112006m1.htm