"The number of Iraqis seeking asylum as they enter the United States over the nation’s Southwest border has nearly tripled this year compared with last, and the year isn’t even over, said Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, a member of the president’s Cabinet who oversees the nation’s 16 intelligence agencies.
In the 2006 calendar year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted 60 asylum seekers, whereas so far in 2007, there have been 178, according to information provided by McConnell’s office. Many more Iraqis want to immigrate to the United States than have been allowed in recent years, according to media reports, a situation that probably explains some of the activity.
None of the Iraqis have been linked to terrorist activities, but McConnell said the crossings show that more attention is being paid to the Southwest border, including by terrorist groups searching to find entry routes — legal and illegal — with the goal of causing "mass casualties" after they arrive.
He goes on to point out this quote:
"And although the numbers are classified, McConnell said, a relatively small number of people with known links to terrorist organizations have been caught crossing the Southwest border."But, hey, maybe we just need to listen to Geraldo and let everybody in. Commenter Buzzy posited:
Reading the news about how the Clinton CIA actually never had a plan to deal with bin Laden I have to wonder if someday Bush’s legacy might be how his administration refused to secure our borders from terrorists all for low wage illegal workers from Mexico.Let's hope not.
