September 11, 2001 was the most tragic day in U.S. history when both the World Trade Center (WTC) and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. The day hereinafter referred to as “9/11″ was the day that changed the U.S. and the rest of the world forever.
Since that date, the U.S. has been in a state of war, has passed legislation such as the USA PATRIOT Act, the REAL ID Act and, has drastically changed its immigration policies across the board.
Examples of changed immigration policies include but are not limited to the following:
- Heightened security at all land, sea, and airports;
- Local law enforcement enforcing immigration laws known as the 287(g) program; and
- Implementation of the SBI program for internal enforcement, among many other policies.
The effects on immigration in the after-math of 9/11 are too many to count. However, examples that comes to mind are that more deportations have been reported, and that there has been an outcry for immigration reform.
Some critics and lobbyists have said that some of those deportations have been wrongful due to over-zealous law enforcement and/or prosecutors. The end result is that that families have been torn apart.
There has been and there continues to be a growing anti-immigrant sentiment as a result of 9/11. Rallies for and against immigration reform rallies that have taken place in cities across the country, but the immigration problem is growing and the current administration is being looked at to resolve it.
In summary, 9/11 has changed us forever. On that tragic day, countless people have lost family members, friends, colleagues, and jobs. We will never forget that day eight (8) years ago and everyone who has either lost someone, or knows someone who has lost someone because of 9/11, will eventually overcome the pain of their loss. But until everyone can overcome, heightened vigilance and anti-immigrant sentiments will continue to take place.