Visa Security Enforcement and Challenges

The case of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who allegedly attempted to ignite an explosive device on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on December 2009, refocused attention on the responsibilities of the Departments of State and Homeland Security for the visa process. He was travelling on a multi-year, multiple-entry tourist visa issued to him in June 2008. In the aftermath of the Abdulmutallab case, policy-makers explored what went wrong and whether statutory and procedural revisions were needed. This book explores the policy questions which centre on whether immigration law needs to be strengthened, whether funding should be increased, and which agency should take the lead.