[A DHS] report [dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/OIG_06-33_Apr06.pdf] reveals that 45,008 aliens from countries on the U.S. list of state-sponsors of terror (SST) or from countries that protected terrorist organizations and their members (SIC) were released into the general public between 2001 and 2005, even though immigration officers couldn't confirm their identity.

Even worse, "it is not known exactly how many of these SIC and SST aliens were ultimately issued final orders of removal and actually removed, since such data is not tracked" by the Detention and Removal Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the report said.

The report estimated that 85% of those released aliens "will abscond," even if deportation orders are issued.

Do the math. That means that more than 38,000 individuals from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, whose identities could not be verified and who could be working for terrorist groups, are today roaming the streets of America.

And if they're smart – and undoubtedly, they are – they have already acquired new identities and have melted into American society.

"The release of these OTMs [Other Than Mexicans] poses particular risks," the Inspector General report said. The report cited a recent U.S. intelligence assessment indicating that "terrorist organizations… believe illegal entry into the U.S. is more advantageous than legal entry for operations reasons."