ATLANTA – A number of senators are sponsoring legislation they say could have prevented the would-be Christmas Day airplane bomber from boarding an American-bound airplane.
Under the legislation, the Department of Homeland Security would conduct on-site visa reviews in so-called “high-volume visa posts” and “high-risk countries.” The department would also have the power to revoke visas and require that law enforcement and consular databases be updated to reflect the revoked visa.
“The attempted terror attack on Christmas Day was a frightening reminder that there are still those who remain intent on harming Americans and that our national security system is still lacking,” U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson said in a news release. “It is essential that we do everything we can to prevent this kind of incident from ever happening again. This legislation would go a long way toward correcting the flaws in our visa system that allowed this man to board a plane in the first place.”
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was indicted on six counts, including attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. If convicted, Abdulmutallab faces life in prison.
Federal authorities say Abdulmutallab tried to destroy Northwest Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam as it prepared to land at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Abdulmutallab tried to ignite an explosive device concealed in his underwear.
“This bill will make our country safer by ensuring that those visitors who have their visas revoked due to suspected terrorist involvement will not be able to remain in the United States to endanger our citizens,” U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said in a news release.
