Now THAT is a REALLY good question. Mr Kuneya, any input on this one?  I'm sure in the process of writing this article you have investigated all the angles like this one before you submitted, right?  If not, then here goes.  My suggestion would be to call over to the Immigration guys.  DHS has a spokesperson here in Honolulu who will be more than happy to answer that question and provide data to support.  It would be beyond my purview to answer for them.  As to the improvement?  I will say this...If your job, that you have been hired to perform, paid for by taxpayer monies, is to screen and process (end effect, vet) those persons requesting permission (yes permission) to enter our county according to our laws (remember, we're not open border like Europe) and you were told that a country (let's pick...Iran) has been released from non-gratis status but that you know in your heart of hearts that that country is still a threat (e.g. "Death to America!!!") do you still do your job?  Or not?