January 14, 2010

Committee Members Express Concern Over DOS Visa Handling

Senator Joe Lieberman, Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, suggested last week that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should replace the Department of State in issuing visas to foreigners travelling to the United States.  Senator Lieberman stated that current U.S. foreign policy and concerns about terrorism would make DHS a better choice for overseeing the visa application and admittance process.

Senator  Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, also expressed concern over the State Department's handling of a report from the father of the suspect in last year's attempted Christmas Day airplane bombing, stating that the suspect "posed an imminent threat to the United States." Despite receiving this report, the suspect was nonetheless permitted to board the Detroit-bound plane.

The Committee plans to hold a series of hearings this year to investigate the attempted bombing and the "communication breakdown between various government agencies."

Read more: http://www.alliance-exchange.org/policy-monitor/2010/01/11/lieberman-questions-state-departments-consular-role