After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 Americans, the United States forbade illegal aliens to be trained as pilots in this country. Some of the 9/11 hijackers had received flight training here, and some were here illegally.
So it is alarming to learn that dozens of illegal aliens recently were found training at a flight school in Stow, Mass., in violation of the Transportation Security Administration’s rule that only “properly checked, legal aliens” may receive flight training.
The 34 illegal aliens are from Brazil. Even the owner of the school is a Brazilian who was charged last summer with being in the United States illegally!
Authorities said they did not believe the Brazilians had any terrorist aims. We certainly hope that’s true, because, incredibly, the government set them all free pending their deportation hearings. If by chance some of them were training for terrorist purposes, it is safe to assume they will not be showing up for the hearings.
This case highlights a serious breach of our national security. And it’s not the first time this has happened. Thousands of foreigners without properly checked documents were found to be getting flight training in this country in 2008. Some of those undoubtedly were in the country lawfully, but we need to know that for sure. Having such security rules — and adhering to them — prior to the 9/11 attacks might have prevented that catastrophe.
The case also shows the absurd lack of enforcement of our laws against illegal immigration. Why would we consider setting dozens of people free when we strongly believe they are in this country illegally? They should be held until it is determined clearly whether they are illegal aliens. If they are illegal, they should be deported promptly.
One excuse often used for not enforcing immigration laws is that it would be impossible to find and deport every illegal alien. Maybe so, but that’s no excuse not to deport the ones we do find.