WASHINGTON – ABC News reports that al Qaeda Iraqi (AQI) insurgents were planning on using student visas to enter America for a new attack.
The plot attempted to duplicate the 9/11 tragedies but was uncovered by coalition forces six months ago during a raid in Iraq. The suspects in the alleged plot were believed to be linked to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, AQI’s leader who was killed during the raid.
According to ABC, the operation possibly involved 10-20 people associated with AQI who would slip into the United States with student visas. This was the same method used by the 19 hijackers on 9/11.
The plot was discovered early, however, and authorities do not believe any of the suspects made it onto American soil.
New precautions enacted by the government since 9/11 require universities to track their international students. Foreign nationals who fail to report to class or miss class regularly must be reported.
Experts worry that despite these new policies and procedures, terrorists who are well trained and have clean records could still get in via a student visa.