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Rep. Bilirakis Questions Chertoff on USF Case |
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WASHINGTON (Sep. 5) -- During
a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Gus
Bilirakis (R-Fla.) questioned Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff on the wider security concerns raised in light of the federal
indictment of two foreign-born University of South Florida (USF)
students on explosives charges.
Last Friday, Youssef Megahed
and Ahmed Mohamed were indicted by a federal grand jury on explosive
charges following their Aug. 4 arrest near a military prison for enemy
combatants in South Carolina. Both men are Egyptian citizens; Mohamed
in the U.S. on a student visa and Megahed a permanent U.S. resident.
During
Wednesday's hearing, Bilirakis pressed Chertoff on the number of
foreign students since September 11, 2001, who have enrolled in classes
but failed to attend. He also inquired about the Department's ability
to monitor the actions of foreign students once in the country, and
whether there is proper coordination between all of the responsible
federal agencies on cases of this nature.
"There remains
considerable concern over how we approve, verify and track foreign
students entering this country on a visa," said Bilirakis following the
hearing. "Nearly all international students who enter this country on
student visas are here to learn. What I am concerned about is how we
are dealing with those few who have other intentions in mind."
Bilirakis
also commented on reports that Mohamed had a criminal record in Egypt
prior to entering the United States on a student visa. "It would be
very troubling if it is true that this student was improperly issued a
visa despite his criminal background, which could potentially make him
ineligible for admission," he said following the hearing.
Bilirakis
asked Chertoff for a listing of specific criminal acts that would
preclude the issuance of a visa or deny entry into the United States of
a nonimmigrant foreign student.
In a letter sent to Chertoff
on Wednesday, Bilirakis requested a full briefing by appropriate DHS
officials on the specifics of the USF case and the related security
issues it has raised.
"I believe we must more closely examine
the backgrounds of those seeking student visas and then carefully
monitor their activities once they have entered the country to ensure
that they have come here for legitimate academic purposes," Bilirakis
wrote. "I would appreciate your efforts to facilitate a briefing on
this case and the related issues it raises for me with the appropriate
Department officials at the soonest possible time."
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