9/11 Commission Report

It is perhaps obvious to state that terrorists cannot plan and carry out attacks in the UnitedStates if they are unable to enter the country. Yet prior to September 11, while there wereefforts to enhance border security, no agency of the U.S. government thought of bordersecurity as a tool in the counterterrorism arsenal. Indeed, even after 19 hijackersdemonstrated the relative ease of obtaining a U.S. visa and gaining admission into theUnited States, border security still is not considered a cornerstone of national securitypolicy. We believe, for reasons we discuss in the following pages, that it must be made one. Contents: A Factual Overview of the September 11 Border StoryThe September 11 Travel Operation - a ChronologyTerrorist Entry and Embedding Tactics, 1993-2001The RedbookTerrorist Travel Tactics by PlotAl Qaeda's Organizational Structure for Travel and Travel TacticsImmigration and Border Security Evolve, 1993 to 2001The Intelligence CommunityThe State DepartmentThe Immigration and Naturalization ServicePlanning and Executing Entry for the 9/11 PlotThe State DepartmentThe Immigration and Naturalization ServiceFinding a Fair VerdictCrisis Management and Response Post-September 11The Intelligence CommunityThe Department of StateThe Department of JusticeResponse at the Borders, 9/11-9/20, 2001The Department of Homeland Security