Paul Offers Amendments to Strengthen Homeland Security Bill

Washington, DC- Congressman Ron Paul yesterday offered two different amendments to a homeland security bill that will strengthen our borders against future terrorist attacks. Both amendments offer practical, immediate steps Congress can take to fight terrorism without infringing on the constitutional rights of American citizens.

One amendment prohibits the issuance of student and diversity visas to individuals from terror-sponsoring states. The current State department list of countries labeled "not fully cooperating" with the war on terror includes Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, and Cuba.

"Common sense dictates that we should not be handing out new visas to residents of the very countries that openly despise America and refuse to cooperate with our State department," Paul stated. "If we are serious about preventing terrorism, we cannot simultaneously give aid and comfort to our enemies by allowing them to live in the U.S."

A second amendment severely restricts the issuance of new visas to individuals from Saudi Arabia, which he wants added to the State department list of terror-sponsoring states.

"Evidence that Saudi Arabia fosters and promotes terrorism is overwhelming," Paul stated. "The majority of al-Qaeda members are Saudis, as were most of the September 11th hijackers. The Saudi government encourages radical Islamic Wahabbi sects that call for the destruction of America and the West. The Saudis incubate and spread radical anti-Americanism throughout the Middle East, yet we continue to issue visas to Saudi citizens without any special scrutiny. It’s time to restrict new visas for Saudi nationals."

Both amendments will be considered by a House committee responsible for crafting homeland security legislation.