Since 03-01-08
Thousands of Aliens in US Flight Schools Illegally
Since 03-01-08
The ABC News story below is a disturbing example of why concerned Americans cannot just sit back and “hope” that our government is doing or will do everything it should to protect our safety and security. It is revelations like these that remind us why ACT! for America’s vision for an informed and organized citizen action network is an essential element of the long-range safety and security of our nation. When it comes to government bureaucracy, the old adage “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” is right on target. Imagine the pressure we could put on Congress, and the pressure Congress would then put on the Transportation Safety Administration, when we have 1,000,000 members who deluge Congress with calls and emails demanding that what is described below be stopped!
Every time one of our members forwards one of our email alerts, makes a contribution, signs up to start a chapter, or tells a friend about ACT! for America, we are one step closer to our ultimate goal.
9/11 Redux: 'Thousands of Aliens' in U.S. Flight Schools Illegally
Former FAA Inspector: TSA's Enforcement of Post-9/11 Laws 'Basically Nonexistent'
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4353991&page=1
By BRIAN ROSS, VIC WALTER
and ERIC LONGABARDI
Feb. 27, 2008
Thousands of foreign student pilots have been able to enroll and obtain pilot licenses from U.S. flight schools, despite tough laws passed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, according to internal government documents obtained by ABC News.
"Some of the very same conditions that allowed the 9-11 tragedy to happen in the first place are still very much in existence today," wrote one regional security official to his boss at the TSA, the Transportation Security Administration. [emphasis added]
"Thousands of aliens, some of whom may very well pose a threat to this country, are taking flight lessons, being granted FAA certifications and are flying planes," wrote the TSA official, Richard A. Horn, in 2005, complaining that the students did not have the proper visas.
Under the new laws, American flight schools are only supposed to provide pilot training to foreign students who have been given a background check by the TSA and have a specific type of visa.
But in thousands of cases that has not happened, according to the documents and current and former government officials involved in the program.
"TSA's enforcement is basically nonexistent," said former FAA inspector Bill McNease, in an interview for ABC News' "World News With Charles Gibson." [emphasis added]
McNease, who retired last year, says in one year alone, 2005, he found some 8,000 foreign students in the FAA database who got their pilot licenses without ever being approved by the TSA. [emphasis added]
"And a flight school wants the money to teach 'em. And they are gonna teach 'em how to fly and get their ratings, and then they just slip through the cracks," McNease said.
In another internal e-mail obtained by ABC News, Monty Thompson, an official in the TSA Flight School Inspections section, complained in 2005 to his bosses in Washington, "I fear we are 'danger close' to losing sight of the mission and the intent of the 'Flight School Security' provisions."
The new laws were passed after it was learned that all of the 9/11 hijackers, including ringleader Mohammed Atta, who were involved in flight operations had trained at U.S. flight schools with improper visas. [emphasis added]
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ACT for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America, a grassroots network committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America’s national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam. We are only as strong as our supporters, and your volunteer and financial support is essential to our success. Thank you for helping us make America safer and more secure.
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