[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E94-E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCING THE ``TERROR IMMIGRATION ELIMINATION ACT OF 2003''

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2003

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Terror 
Immigration Elimination Act of 2003.''
  The United States remains vulnerable to terrorist attacks more than a 
year after the tragedy of 9/11. Our borders remain porous--a virtual 
revolving door and welcome mat for those who would seek to harm us. 
This was never more evident than when news broke some time ago that the 
Immigration and Naturalization Service had actually renewed the visas 
for several of the 9/11 hijackers after the attack had taken place. We 
cannot prevent terrorism if we cannot keep terrorists out of our 
country.
  That is why I am introducing the ``Terror Immigration Elimination Act 
of 2003.'' This bill will deny student and ``diversity'' visas to 
anyone coming from a country currently on the State Department's list 
of terrorism-sponsoring countries.
  It may seem shocking that citizens from these countries can even 
still receive these visas, but it is true. We must put a lock on this 
revolving door if we are going to protect Americans from the continuing 
threat of terrorism on our soil.
  Further, Mr. Speaker, it is time we face reality regarding Saudi 
Arabia. We must remember that most of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi 
nationals. Also, when al-Qaeda supporters were rounded up from 
Afghanistan and held at Camp X-Ray, reports showed that of the 158 
prisoners more than one hundred were Saudi nationals. With such an 
evident level of involvement from Saudi nationals in these activities, 
it is quite obvious that the Saudi government is not doing all it can, 
or all it should, in resolving this urgent problem. Therefore, Saudi 
citizens will also be denied student and ``diversity'' visas to the 
United States under this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to take concrete and substantive steps to 
protect the United States

[[Page E95]]

and its citizens against further terrorist attacks. One such step is 
passage of this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation 
and I look forward to its passage.

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