In
1972, before International terrorism was as “global” as it is now (pre-internet
days), I moved to Switzerland and lived there for 18 months. The Swiss have
always been protective of their borders, their economy, jobs - and their
cultural identity. Before I even entered the country, I had to apply for a work
visa with specifics about where I would work, who was sponsoring me on my stay,
who to contact if the Swiss immigration officials wanted to reach me, etc. I
was given a specific date in which I had to leave the country, and I could only
return if I was gone for “X” number of weeks, and then I had to apply for a
Swiss work visa all over again. I believe my first work visa lasted 12 months.
You could not work if your didn’t have the proper work Visa, and if an employer
was found guilty of employing someone with an expired or no work visa, the
fines were substantial and the social stigma associated with the guilty
business was equally as sever. Traveling around Switzerland required that I
have my “papers” on my person so that I could identify myself as a legal
visitor on a work visa – otherwise I would be hauled off to the immigration
authorities and possibly deported. This was alien to me, coming from the USA,
but the native Swiss explained to me as politely as possible that in order to
maintain order in their small country - which as always been an oasis of
stability in an often chaotic Europe, they felt these laws were necessary. Even
traveling between Switzerland and the many bordering countries I had to provide
papers to prove my legal status while on a train or auto. If I was driving a
car I also had to show the legal documents to prove I was driving it legally.
None of these “inconveniences” seemed inappropriate because I was a guest in
their country and the reasons were explained to me.
With
this personal background in mind, I hope that the Trump administration brings
back a new and improved National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS). This
is sometimes referred to as "Special Registration" for registering
non-citizen visa holders -- such as students, workers and tourists. The USA
under President George W. Bush's administration enacted this policy as a result
of 9-11 on September 10, 2002. I would suggest that instead of ONLY Muslims
being singled out, we should use the Swiss system for ANY and ALL
“non-citizens” entering the United States. Frequent business travelers could
have pre-approval to navigate quickly through the bureaucracy of the
immigration force (similar to Global entry) but would still be part of the
immigration system. With high-speed computers, biometric Identifiers and other
new technology, we should be able to effectively protect America’s economy,
jobs, people and add a significant barrier to those who wish Americans harm. The
cost of the system could all or partially be paid for by those who enter the
country as cost of entry (many countries already do this).
Some on
the left will decry this as an assault on the civil liberties of immigrants and
“un-American”. I would suggest that there is nothing more core to American
values than protecting the homeland - while at the same time leaving our
borders open for those who wish to navigate our immigration system legally.
Shep
Fargotstein
