How has immigration laws changed since 9/11?
The impact of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 dramatically affected the economic, sociologic, and national defensive landscape of our country. Almost nine years later, the effects are still prevalent, especially in the area of immigration.
The US war on terrorism was initiated due to 9/11 to discover and end terrorist plots, terrorist financing, and illegal immigrants. Federal agencies were determined to dramatically improve the security and safety of our citizens. The USA Patriot Act was quickly employed soon after 9/11 to rapidly enforce and tighten security efforts in the areas of technology, finance, immigration, and law enforcement.
The events of 9/11 had a severe effect on how immigrants were accepted in the US. Incidences of racial profiling, discrimination, ethnic harassment, and hate crime cases rose considerably across the nation.
Immigration Laws since 9/11
A major change in US immigration law post September 11th was the authority given to the new constructed Department of Homeland Security and Office of Citizenship and Immigration Service. Previously, the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was the federal agency which monitored immigration matters.
Another major change included requiring federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to use strict criteria in locating and deporting illegal immigrants.
Recently, President Obama is attempting to overhaul US immigration regulations and seeks to grant legal status to approximately twelve million illegal immigrants. If the plan succeeds, illegal immigrants who hope to become citizens would have to register, pass a criminal background check, understand and English, and pay any taxes or fines they have outstanding.
