Terrorism: Automated Lookout Systems and Border Security Options and Issues

Publication Date: June 2001

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

Border security and the threat of international terrorism are issues of intense congressional concern, as is evidenced by recent congressional hearings held to examine these issues in the 107th Congress. The challenge for policy makers is to provide for a level of border security that is commensurate with threats from abroad, while facilitating legitimate cross-border travel and commerce, and protecting civil liberties. To provide border security, a number of federal agencies work in tandem. The State Department and the federal inspection services, principally the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Customs Service, have long maintained lookout books for the purpose of excluding "undesirable" persons, including suspected terrorists, from entry into the United States. While automated lookout books are an integral part of the border security equation, other measures can be taken to increase border security.

This report presents five options that have been discussed by international security specialists for strengthening the processes by which persons who are known to be members or supporters of foreign terrorist organizations are excluded from entry into the United States. Those options include (1) making it more difficult to counterfeit and alter international travel documents, (2) increasing entry/exit control mechanisms at international ports of entry, (3) increasing staff and technology for consular and federal inspection services, (4) enhancing recordkeeping on the visa status and whereabouts of foreign students in the United States, and (5) expanding the current visa lookout system to include data on members of international organized crime groups. While some, or perhaps all, of these options could theoretically be implemented by the Administration, adoption would most likely require congressional support through legislative mandates, directed appropriations, or report language.

Clearly, border control is vital to the security of the nation and its citizens. Notwithstanding, increasing border security has significant financial and social costs. Indeed, the exclusion of persons from entry into the United States for ideological or political beliefs has long been a source of controversy. Moreover, the options listed above could prove controversial, if adopted and implemented without careful consideration for facilitating legitimate cross-border travel and commerce. Furthermore, many view the inclusion of personal biometric identifiers in travel documents, monitoring foreign students, and increased entry/exit control as examples of greater government intrusion. Finally, hiring additional staff and developing forcemultiplying technologies are expensive propositions as well.