While the threat of a hostile missile attack exists. the far greater threat comes from terrorism. whether domestic or international. and whether sponsored by rogue individuals. organizations or states. The weapons of mass destruction I most fear are not intercontinental ballistic missiles traveling through the stratosphere. but those coming across our land and sea ports and delivered by an aerosol can. suitcase or panel truck. To protect against such asymmetrical threats we must devote appropriate resources to Customs. the Immigration and Naturalization Service. and even the Coast Guard. These agencies are our nations first line of defense along our borders and major ports of entry. More personnel and better technology are needed if we want to defend against terrorists trying to smuggle into the United States weapons of mass destruction. We want more commerce with our neighbors and international trading partners. yet we do not provide adequate resources to the very agencies tasked with managing the trade. Just this week federal authorities. including the INS. arrested 15 people on charges of operating an immigration fraud ring that helped members of an alleged Iranian terrorist group enter the United States illegally. Several years ago. a cargo ship owned by a Chinese shipping company and destined for the United States was boarded off the California coast and a cache of firearms was discovered. With current resources and technology are we able to stop an illegal weapons or known dangerous persons from entering the United States?
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immigration Naturalization Immigration