STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REGARDING THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT ON INS PROCEDURES

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Attorney General John Ashcroft issued the following statement today regarding Inspector General Glenn Fine's report examining INS actions regarding the handling of visas for September 11 terrorists Mohamed Atta and Marwan Al-Shehhi.

"This report reinforces the need for the fundamental INS reforms the Administration has proposed. We have issued recent regulations to bring our student visa system into the 21st century and provide for a centralized, rapid-access reporting system instead of the present antiquated, paper-driven reporting system. In addition, we have promulgated new rules which prevent students from taking classes, such as flight lessons, until their applications have been approved. Our mission to make fundamental reforms is ongoing and the Department of Justice and the INS will review the Inspector General's recommendations and redouble our efforts to move the INS' reporting systems into the 21st century. I thank Inspector General Glenn Fine for his expeditious work on this report."

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