Harminder Singh of Kent has been convicted for conspiracy and four human smuggling counts tied to a B.C.-WA ring assisting 100 illegal immigrants from Pakistan and India across the border. The Vancouver Sun reports today, far more deeply than yesterday's Seattle P-I. Throughout (see here and here), authorities said there's no evidence of terrorist links. But only poorly-trained terrorists blow their cover. Ongoing U.S.-Canadian efforts to tighten border security are key to anti-terrorism.

As the Library Of Congress report "Nations Hospitable To Organized Crime and Terrorism" notes (p. 153):

A generous social-welfare system, lax immigration laws, infrequent prosecutions, light sentencing, and long borders and coastlines offer many points and methods of entry that facilitate movement to and from various countries, particularly to the United States. These factors combine to make Canada a favored destination for terrorists and international organized crime groups.

A U.S. "virtual fence" for the northern border will include sensors, infrared cameras, watchtowers and unmanned "Predator B" or "Reaper" drones expected to be operative by later this year over Washington state.

Congress still faces the mammoth task of approving a fair, strong and workable policy to deal with current illegal immigrants and stem future illegal immigration across our southern and northern borders. For all the strum und drang, that sadly seems light years away. However, in the broader anti-terrorrism initiative, there's obviously more involved than border interdiction. We need better human intelligence including greater Arabic proficiency; continued financial intelligence on terrorists and terrorist-linked organizations; robust Congressional funding; and a supportive political climate.

All that said, those drones over Washington are going to give me some serious warm fuzzies.