Since Mexico has not been a focus of international terrorism, the bulk of my experience was working closely with Canadian law enforcement and counterterrorism officials. We also need more cooperation between INS, Customs, domestic law enforcement, and our defense and intelligence communities. I am pleased, for instance, to see that in cities such as Detroit INS special investigations agents have been assigned to FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Forces. We need to do more along these lines. To counter terrorism at the northern border, we also need a strategy that focuses not just on deterrence but on physical checks on streets, at farms and ranches, and in jails.
Terrorists are more sophisticated than the average illegal alien.
They will plan their move across the border carefully, and come laden with high-quality forged identification documents or genuine documents under an assumed name. As Ranking Member on the Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I know that terrorism is a huge problem today and becoming even bigger. Terrorism can result in the death of hundreds or even thousands of innocent men, women, and children. It also leaves economic and property damage and widespread fear and disruption in its wake. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for holding a hearing on this important subject and look forward to working with you and the other members of this Subcommittee to give this matter the attention it demands.