We could argue until the cows come home about the effectiveness of the
Department of Homeland Security. Bush can tell us how at least 10 major plots against the US were foiled because of his administration. But for me at least, it's more fun to share the anecdotes that illustrate how useless the policies are. I don't know who is lying anyway and I don't hover over the news. I'll use college as my excuse for being an ill-informed liberal. (Since I graduated two weeks ago, give me at least another week before you get on my case for not researching the facts).
My boyfriend was recently accepted to a small liberal arts college in the northeast. He filled out his application in all honesty and things seemed to be progressing without a snag. Last week as he submitted his financial aid information and checked his status for loans he received an email from the college informing him there was a problem with his application. Apparently the Department of Homeland Security flagged him as a non-citizen.
He was naturalized over two years ago. He's been a resident alien since the Clinton Administration let Bosnians come here in 1994. He's never committed a crime and he's a US citizen. He submitted all the paperwork necessary and INS knows he's a citizen. So where's the problem? Are these people incapable of synchronizing an INS database with a social security number database? Why aren't these departments able to communicate? Doesn't it seem like an INS database of immigrants would be a good place of the DHS to get their records?
To resolve the issue, what does the school want? A photocopy of the naturalization certificate (you know, the one with the letter that says "do not copy under any circumstances). Ironically after all this, he was able to get a US passport with NO hassle. He can't go to college but he can travel the world as a US citizen.
Any other evil foreigners have stories to share? I'd love to hear them.