In addition to being disastrous for American workers, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) believes President Obama’s reported plan to grant amnesty to 5 million illegal immigrants could prove to be “a security nightmare,” and make it more likely that terrorists successfully carry out an attack on the U.S. homeland.
“Immigration agents already tell us that the president’s DACA order has redirected resources away from national security and created massive enforcement loopholes that can be exploited by terrorists,” Sessions said in a statement to the National Review.
DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, granted administrative ‘legal’ status and work authorization to many illegal immigrants, leading central Americans to flock across the border illegally in hopes of being granted amnesty through executive action.
“If President Obama goes through with his plan to provide formal work authorization to millions who violate the terms of their visas, it would be a security nightmare for the United States,” Sessions said. “For instance, we know ICE officers can no longer police visa overstays even though they are a proven security risk — and even though the 9/11 hijackers exploited our visa system in order to launch their attacks.”
Sessions’ warning is particularly ominous considering other lawmakers have expressed concerns that the Islamic State terrorists, who are sweeping across Iraq and Syria, clearly have the ability to make a move toward the U.S.
“They are one plane ticket away from U.S. shores and that’s why we’re so concerned about it,“ House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Rogers (R., Mich.) said on Meet the Press.
However, a spokesperson for the White House downplayed the concerns, saying the Obama Administration does not believe the Islamic State is currently planning an attack on the U.S.
“To date, we have not seen them focus on that type of planning, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to be very mindful that they could quickly aim to pivot to attacks against Western targets outside of the region,” said deputy national-security adviser Ben Rhodes. “If they show the intent or they show plotting against the United States, we’ll be prepared to deal with that as necessary,” he said.
(h/t National Review)
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