and my distinguished colleague from Florida. Mr. MCCOLLUM. will modernize the State Departments visa issuance machinery. It will replace the current microfiche system which is labor Intensive. not updated on a timely basis. and easily subject to human error. The legislation will also make the system more accountable by holding the U.S. consular officer who Issues the visa responsible for any mistakes relating to the visa lookout system. It will also restore the State Departments access to the FBIs criminal records on aliens who might seek U.S. visas to again travel to this country. Such access will help prevent not only terrorists from gaining entry to this country. but those who have engaged in narcotics and other criminal conduct as well. The American people are entitled to an overseas visa lookout system that is first rate. modern. effective. and fully coordinated within the U.S. law enforcement community. Our country is entitled to a front line defense against those who would represent a threat to the lives. property. and safety of our citizens. a defense that meets the challenges of this modern era and the new threats that terrorists and other criminal elements present. This bill will bring the State Departments visa system up to date. and provide our State Department with the necessary tools to fight the threat that international terrorism presents to our Nation. As members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Judiciary Committee. my colleagues and I will work together to provide the Department of State. and other U.S. agencies charged with defending our borders. with the necessary tools to protect Americans from the threat international terrorism poses to our society.
Identified stereotypes
Implying that aliens seeking visas are likely to be terrorists or criminals.