Those who seek to harm Americans don't need to hire a coyote to infiltrate the border when the legal means of entry are so vulnerable. The Center for Immigration Studies hosted a panel discussion on Tuesday, January 12, focusing on those vulnerabilities and how to address them. Among the nationally recognized experts on the panel was the architect and former Chief of the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS).
Immigration has become a central issue in the presidential campaign and this panel sought to examine a critical part of that debate: how to ensure that those seeking immigration benefits – whether visitor visas, asylum, refugee resettlement, green cards, or citizenship – do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Panel Transcript
WHAT: Panel discussion on how to fix refugee, immigration, and visa screening.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: National Press Club, Zenger Room, 529 14th St, NW, 13th Floor, Washington, D.C.
WHO:
Don Crocetti
Former Chief of the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate
Crocetti's career of administering and enforcing immigration laws has spanned more than 36 years. He served as the Interim Director of USCIS' Eastern Region, Director of USCIS (and legacy INS) Baltimore District Office, and Associate Commissioner of INS Examinations. He founded the Immigration Integrity Group, where he continues to advocate enhancing the integrity of this country's legal immigration system.
David North
Fellow, Center for Immigration Studies.
An internationally recognized authority on immigration policy, North has been studying the issue for nearly half a century for a variety of governmental and non-governmental agencies. He has testified frequently before Congress as well as before every federal immigration policy commission since the 1970s.
Jessica Vaughan
Director of Policy Studies, Center for immigration Studies
A former consular officer with the State Department, Vaughan's areas of expertise include the visa process, immigration benefits, and law enforcement. She has testified before Congress on many immigration topics, including the visa waiver program, visa security, and entry-exit controls.
Mark Krikorian (Moderator)
Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies