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February 20, 2008
OJPCR 8.1: Linking Immigrants and Terrorists: The Use of Immigration as an Anti-Terror Policy
Alexander Spencer
Abstract: Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 ‘immigration’ has once again become an important international topic and has been framed as a national security concern. In response to the attacks by 19 foreign terrorists and as a part of the ‘war on terrorism’, governments have responded with the introduction of tighter immigration controls and restrictions as part of their counter-terrorism offensive. It has become widely accepted by politicians to view ‘immigration’ as an important tool in the ‘war on terrorism’. They have articulated a link between immigration and international terrorism which has found its way into government policies. Are counter-terrorist measures involving anti-immigration policies a good or effective way of fighting international terrorism? This paper will critically examine the validity and usefulness of linking ‘terrorism’ with ‘immigration’ and attempts to briefly indicate possible explanations for the development of this link.
Posted by Editor at February 20, 2008 12:31 PM