The Tragicomedy of Immigration Politics: Of Fiancé Visas and the Visa Waiver Program

Poor President Obama. In his Sunday night speech to the nation, he made a mistake that confused anyone who had been watching the news closely. As Obama outlined the steps necessary to avoid tragedies like the San Bernardino killings, he indicated that he had ordered a review of the "visa waiver" program under which the female shooter arrived in this country.

The president's error, as most of us know by now, is that he should have referred instead to the "fiancé visa" program--the female terrorist's actual pathway to the United States. The White House was quick to correct Obama's mistake, but the president's fumble was understandable. Including a review of fiancé visas among our government's pillars in the fight against ISIS is like ordering tear droppers to extinguish forest fires. His speechwriters should never have included it.

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