Goose Creek case gets congressional scrutiny; Update 11:36am Eastern: Chertoff: “I will get back to you on that”
11:57am Eastern. Both Chertoff and Democrat Sheila Jackson-Lee want shamnesty resurrected. Good thing I haven’t had lunch yet.
11:30am Eastern. Here we go…Rep. Bilirakis brings up Goose Creek: “There are several questions that need to be answered to better understand the larger homeland security questions.”
1) To what extent is DHS working with DOJto determine terror links?
Chertoff answers: From the very moment something like this is detected, first priority…I can guarantee you from day of arrests…priority number one is to examine any linkages between those arrested and others who might pose a threat.
2) Does DHS have ability to monitor student visa holders to determine whether visas are simply being used to get into the country?
Chertoff: We do to a limited extent. We rely upon the schools…Most schools try to honor their obligation…some do not…
3) I need to know: How many foreign students have entered the US with student visas and not enrolled as required at their schools?
Chertoff: I will get back to you on that.
4) Screening past criminal histories. What criminal acts would preclude issuance of foreign student visas? I understand that this may apply to (Goose Creek) case.
Chertoff: Can’t give you comprehensive list. Obviously felones, some misdemeanors. Will get back to Bilirakis.
5) Expand upon info-sharing.
Chertoff: There is some, not perfect, flawless…we do have to sanction schools that don’t cooperate.
“I will get back to you on that.”
I will make sure to report Chertoff’s answer when and if he does.
Update 11:23am Eastern. Jane Harman gives Chertoff unsolicited career advice, telling him he shouldn’t move over the Attorney General’s office because “you’d be having to dig yourself out of a very deep hole.”
Update 11:13am Eastern. Norm Dicks presses Chertoff on tracking visa overstayers. Chertoff: “It’s not difficult to determine who’s overstayed. It’s finding them.” Well, duh. Same old, same old.
Update 10:54am Eastern. Pet peeve. ChairmanThompson just invited other House members to “axe” questions. “Axe.”
Update 10:50am Eastern. Peter King’s turn to question Chertoff. First topic is the Visa Waiver program. Chertoff acknowledges the blindingly obvious security flaws of the visa waiver program, which I spotlighted in Invasion and have reported on for years.
Update 10:40am Eastern. Chairman Thompson asks Chertoff whether he’ll be replacing Alberto Gonzales. Chertoff punts. Thompson follows up and asks whether he has done as Josh Bolten has done and asked leaders at DHS whether they’ll be staying on. Thompson presses Chertoff on inordinate number of vacancies at DHS. Thompson ends his questioning without bringing up the Goose Creek case publicly. Interesting. Guess whatever Chertoff told him privately satisfied him.
Here’s one of Chertoff’s powerpoint pages flashed during his opening statement. Feel free to make up your own Chertoff to-do list:
Update 10:26am Eastern. Chertoff’s making his general overview statement on immigration enforcement. He tosses in a complaint pining for the failed shamnesty plan. “But,” he notes ruefully, “I’m sworn to enforce the law,” and says he’ll do his job. Boo-hoo.
***
DHS Secretary and lettuce-pickers’ spokesman Michael Chertoff is appearing right now before the House Committee on Homeland Security. (Hat tip: Audrey Hudson.) I’m watching it live online here. Chertoff will be complaining about having to answer to too many oversight hearings. Perhaps if the department were doing a better job, there would be fewer congressional inquiries about why they’re not doing their job. Just saying.
More interestingly, Florida papers report that Chertoff may be asked about the Goose Creek case. The Dems want to play the racial profiling card. The Republicans want to focus on policy and find out more about the screening process of foreign student visa holders:
The head of a U.S. House committee plans to press Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff today about the indictments of two University of South Florida students, one accused of trying to help terrorists.
Chertoff is scheduled to appear this morning before the Committee on Homeland Security, headed by Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat. So far, even Thompson has been kept in the dark about specifics, including what led a Tampa-based federal grand jury on Friday to accuse one of the men, Ahmed Mohamed, of trying to aid terrorists, his committee spokeswoman said Tuesday.
“He expects to be briefed, and he expects to ask some questions,” spokeswoman Dena Graziano said.
Before the 10 a.m. hearing – Holding the Department of Homeland Security Accountable for Security Gaps – Thompson will meet with Chertoff privately for a classified briefing. Thompson also may question Chertoff about the case during the open hearing, Graziano said…
Another member of the committee, Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor, also intends to question Chertoff about what may be larger homeland security implications of Friday’s indictments, said his spokesman, John Tomaszewski.
They include “the possible criminal background of one of the students [Mohamed] prior to entering the United States, the department’s ability to monitor the actions of foreign students once in the county, and whether there is proper coordination between all of the responsible federal agencies on cases of this nature,” Tomaszewski said.
Russ Knocke, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, said he could not comment about the questions being raised because the investigation is ongoing.
Both men are Egyptian citizens; Megahed a permanent, legal U.S. resident and Mohamed visiting on a student visa.
I’ll update with any newsworthy details.
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If we ignore this goof, will he cease to exist?
I mean, seriously… I could do a better job.
My pet cat would do a better job than Chertoff.
Where’s the lettuce head Chertoff. Perhaps some salad dressing for the hearing is in order?
I’ll pay money if someone gets a page or someone to drop off a bottle of Ranch Dressing while he testifies…
That racial pfofiling “bullcrap” is going to get us all killed. And once again since January the dems are opening their pie-holes to our advantage. I along with most want this student visa nonsense stopped,asap.
corr: profiling opps
So – let me see if I understand this….
A member of Congress is seeking information about an ongoing criminal indictment….
Isn’t that what the Dems got all up in arms about during the prosecutor firings – when a Congressman called and inquired about an ongoing case?
Why don’t they just let the DOJ and prosecutors do their job? And this is a case where a Grand Jury indicted these two, right? Citizens!
Why is it Congress’ job to suddenly oversee criminal prosecutions & indictments?
Pass the 1000 island….. Its salad time.
Because if it wasn’t, they would have to actually do their job.
You know, making laws and such…
Frankly, I prefer them doing things this way.
How about lettuce head having a Taco salad with salsa to pour on that slick plate of a head (bald)….no pun intended.
Irksome to say the least.
Oh, “we can’t FIND them”. Hello!
I have a train load of ‘em down the highway from my house. Come on down and haul them away!
I’ll be glad to assist in the endeavor.
Me Too!!!!
I know where their flippin Nest is!
MM I think Chertoff needs to read your book…….
Sounds like his answers are same S*&()T different day!
Hi AJ!
Seems we just stay mad about something everyday …thanks to the neglect of the USA citizens.
I’d like to see ONE good thing happen NOW regarding the illegals. Seems to be stalling …btw – when is that fence building going to commence????
Maybe they’ll use those invisible ones like we use for our dogs.
Let’s assume they think we will just go away. Guess they hope we will forget about it and give up the fight – complying in giving our country to Mexico.
Michelle and Company,
The “Chertoff to do List” is to small to read. Is there a download version handy?
Imagine what a high school ( madrrassa) in New York or a college anywhere, any state could do sneaking in student terrorists if it were up to themselves to alert DHS.
.
This is terrifying.
Good Morning Gayle,
I stopped getting mad, now it seems more like we have something to shake our heads back and forth about and just wonder what the hell happened to common sense. Plus you fine people help get me through all this “bullcrap”.
The colleges have been lobbying since 9/12 to let students in with little vetting. Why? They pay out of state, full tuition. It’s ridiculously easy for students to slip away, and I’ve seen it happen.
So, again, money trumps security. It’s only a matter of time until one of these “students” hits us.
Pathetic. This man is actually more interested in opening up the borders to millions of illegals than protecting Ameica.
Realize, that Chertoff is only the effect of cause, i.e. Bush administration. As they say…. Fish starts rotting in the head.
Translation:
“It’s a Clusterf___”
Translation:
We just hand out the Visa’s willy nilly and stick our heads back in the sand. The schools dont care either as long as they get their $$$$
Chertoff is rapidly becoming the #1 symbol of incompetence in this administration.
Perhaps now the Goose Creek Pipe Bombers from Egypt story will finally, finally make the mainstream media and the Drudge Report? It has been ignored except by a few papers and bloggers.
Thanks, Michelle, for your updates.
Regarding Chertoff and his amnesty bill, I thought he was going to finally uphold the current immigration laws? Illegal aliens are not just lettuce pickers, some are terrorists–get a clue as to one of the main reasons we are against amnesty.
Numbers USA, who helped defeat the last amnesty bill in June with millions of faxes and phone calls by grassroots Americans, has here and here new information about what your Senators and Congressmen are up to.
It ain’t over yet.
Problems linking again, sorry:
Senate and House bills to sneak in amnesty:
http://www.numbersusa.com/hottopic/congress.html
http://www.numbersusa.com/hottopic/houseapprop0607.html
Was anyone fired after 9/11?
I know Tennant received the Medal of Freedom for his absolute failure in two Presidential administrations and a book deal.
Condi was promoted to Secretary of State where she continues her indirect Jew killing machinations with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Chertoff has botched DHS from bottom to top. Yet, the White House seems to adore this knucklehead.
He is a judge and a lawyer by training. Is he what we need? I’d prefer a retired combat veteran commander. Chertoff is mired in his thoughts about “constitutional law” instead of the Constitution as it was written, like the rest of the pukes in DC and elsewhere who are so afraid of “offending” people.
I will be glad when this wastrel is gone. My glee will be short-lived because of the fear of who will come next.
Chertoff was/is/will always be a waste of skin.
I like the idea of a commander in the role, not a lifetime politician and hack for the shamnesty crowd.
If a man in charge of security can’t begin to tell a committee who, what, when, where, why and how, then show the dolt the door; he’s a useless piece of dung.
Chertoff To-Do List
8am – Breakfast with Geraldo
9am – East San Diego County, welcome New Americans
10am – Erase all voicemail messages, some might be from actual citizens
11am – Think about lunch – must have salad bar
12am – Lunch at The Veggie Palace (check for the union label on the lettuce, make sure it was only picked by New Americans)
1pm – Homeland Security takes a Nap
2pm – Call from Brownie – “Nice job Chertie”
3pm – Leave work early – too exhausting trying to keep track of all those student visas
4pm – Get nails done for Congressional hearing
5pm – Cocktails before dinner (anything with Tequila) – ooh crudite, that celery might have been picked by a New American
6pm – Dinner with Hsu, discuss fundraising
7pm – Had to use the restroom, saw Senator Craig, almost pee’d pants
Now THAT is funny!