Immigration continues to exist as a politically hot and touchy subject both in the United States and Britain, where conservative Michael Howard has made immigration reform an integral part of his program. In the United States, the debate over immigration is also occupying considerable media attention even in the absence of an election. (See e.g. previous post.)

The Voice of America is now featuring a story that discusses the state of immigration reform in America and as a sensitive issue after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In addition, the article notes that "some critics of the new immigration regulations say the government has gone too far." According to the article, these critics include Talat Hamdani, a Muslim who lost her son in the 9/11 attacks.

Acknowleding that the proper balance between security and freedom has proved evasive, Homeland Security Secretary and former judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Michael Chertoff stated:

What defensive action cannot and must not mean is that we shut down, board up, wall in or become a fortress.... Because what we are trying to protect and at the same time preserve is not only lives but our way of life. America is a dynamic country. Our strength as Americans is the sum of every generation that has ever been born in or emigrated to this great land.