Ten years have past since that horrific day in the United States but everyday we are reminded of just how that event shattered our nation and how much life has probably changed forever. On that day nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. I do not think any American who watched this unfold will ever forget and those who did not witness it will never realize just how much freedom we have really lost.
September 11, 2001 has brought about many changes to the way the United States handles illegal immigrates and those people who wish to migrate to the United States. Security at airports as also been heightened. In this paper I will discuss some issue before September 11, 2001 and after.
Changes made in Airports.
Before September 11, 2001 no one in the United States had heard of Osama Bin Laden, the airports were a place that people went for happier times either to greet someone returning from a trip or coming to visit. It was a place where people were excited about going on vacations. If you sat back and watched people coming and going you would see smiles you would witnesses hugs and tears of joy. People that were too young to remember those times would find it hard to image the airport being anything but a nightmare. We our the last generation that will remember crossing the border as if it was a toll booth or throwing a pocketknife in your carry-on because you thought you might need it. Days like that are long gone since terrorists decided to fly planes into buildings packed full of people.
Many things have changed since 09/11 but it is certainly most obvious at the airports. Between October 2001 and December 2010 these are some of the changes that have taken place in airports.
* Cockpit doors have been strengthened with bars and are now kept locked.
* Congress created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) they recruit train and deploy security officers for 450 commercial airports.
* TSA orders a shoe screening policy that requires passengers to often remove their shoes after a man brought explosives on an airline hidden in his sneakers.
* The Federal air marshal’s start flying on international flights wearing plain clothes, armed with guns, and always seated in first class.
* A federal program that trained volunteer pilots to protect the cockpit and passengers was put into place.
* 429 airports are equipped with explosive trace detection machines.
* The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act becomes a law.
* All lighters butane and others are no longer allowed to be taken on a plane.
* TSA bans all liquids except travel sized toiletries of three ounces or less, gels and aerosols from carry-ons and requires mandatory shoe screening.
* TSA also bans printer ink cartridges that way more than one pound.
* Advanced imaging machines are placed in U.S. airports. More extensive pat downs are put into place.
* A canine team for the airports is trained to detect explosive these canines are named after victims of 9/11.
Homeland Security
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 changed the way people viewed then borders and immigration. The initial focus was on the Arab and Muslim communities in the United States. They drew the attention of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence services. The public’s main focus was on the U.S-Mexican borders they were worried about how insecure they were. Law enforcements reaction caused much worry amongst the Arab and Muslim communities. Other immigrates legal or not were also affected most of them from Latin America, mainly Mexico. With all the attention focusing on the people who were trying to enter the United States we begin seeing the consequences of this sweeping vigilance.
The Government felt that Muslims, and equally people from South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia were a threat to the United States. It was believed that these people supported terrorism and they were targeted. Many men were held against their will for many months they had not been charged with any crimes. Some were eventually released while others were deported for minor infractions. We now know through reports done by the 9/11 Commission showed that there was nothing to support the Government’s fears. There was no evidence found that any domestic conspiracies had taken place. None of the 400 U.S. prosecutions proved to be related to any terrorist attacks against America. Approximately another 500 people were charged with violating immigration laws in which none proved to be related to terrorist attacks.
Changes since 9/11
Student Visa was impacted since one of the hijackers entered the United States on a student visa even though he never attended any school in the United States. After 9/11 it begins more difficult to apply for a student visa. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) was adopted this system tracks International students and schools hosting foreign students. Schools are now required to supply enrollment information as well as schedules and class information. It also tracks students who drop classes, graduate early, and those not taking a full class load. Over 8-1 million people have been recorded on this database. Students that did not meet the specific requirements were either detained or deported. Students who requested extensions on their Visa’s but were denied and remained in the U.S. were also detained or deported.
Prior to 9/11 Immigrants that were in the U.S. on visitor visas were usually allowed to stay six months at the end of the six months they were usually granted an extension. Post 9/11 extension were very hard to come by a person must provide supported information that they have substantial ties such as employment, family, and a permanent residence. Other documents needed for an extension are bank accounts and tax records to prove that they are financial stable. Applying for an extension has now become more like applying for an initial Visa.
Although American’s still have more freedom then most countries we are now forced to deal with heightened security. The changes since 9/11 have not only affected people from other countries but American’s as well. I guess the real question is are we really ever going to be safe from potential terrorists?
My thoughts
I believe that we since 9/11 we have made it very hard for immigrants to become legal citizens of the United States. I feel like we should have another amnesty that will allow for people that have been in the United States for maybe the past 15 years and they have documentation to support this should be allowed to become citizens. I personally have a family member who was brought to the United States as a child and his parents did nothing to secure his citizenship so now it is up to him and it seems hopeless at times. After thousands of dollars spent on attorneys he must return to Mexico to meet with someone to be granted citizenship. This is not a guarantee and Mexico right now is a very dangerous place. If he was to return to Mexico he knows nothing about their country and he would be on his own.
I do however agree with the heightened security but I also believe there are always flaws in any security system and should terrorists want to attack again they will find a way to do so. I think we need to build large walls that will prevent people from crossing the boarders where they meet with the United States. I also feel that people that want to come to the United States must be forced to learn our language not the other way around. I could go on and on about my thoughts, and that would be a whole new essay in its self.

References
Santos Tancinco, L. (2011, September 11). Post 9/11 US immigration policies. Inquirer global nation, Retrieved 01/27/2013
Tirman, J. (2006, July 28). Immigration and Insecurity: Post-9/11 Fear in the United States. Border Battles, p. 1-3 Retrieved 1/27/2013