If we know they are here, how did we allow them to get in illegally to begin with?

Are we stupid or what? Have we not learned our lessons? After reading Vanity Fair's report and release of our "Air Defense Systems" during 9/11, I am positive that we all live in a cloud of false sense of security. Here is another prime example, we need to halt all F1 visas and take the necessary pre-cautions to protect our nation. But of course schools will lobby against it because F1 visa money goes straight to the schools versus it going to the state or federal govt.

Gee, I *wonder* why they're missing... I would bet you all that they're nothing more than just a groups of jihadis that we now have roaming our nation. Nice going, Homeland (in)Security.

I smell something fishy....

YIKES!

OK...so, if they are here illegally, why in Gods name didn't they get stopped at Custom's and put right back on an airplane...or is it that the liberals just want to welcome them here with open arms? After all, they are just "students", right? Students of Hezbollah...!

My comment on this is....they are here illegally????? How in the world did they even get through customs at JFK???? So much for stepped-up measures to protect us. These guys are obviously up to no-good, if they arrived, then disappeared. I suppose the FBI is going to do charts & graphs to see if they are a threat to us. :-(

And I suppose everyone of them spoke perfect English, had a bus or train ticket to Montana, and a note from their mom........

Oops..here's your sign........

They're here illegally because they entered on F1 visas and THEN did not show for class. Not showing up at there school makes there visas invalid. They had valid visas at the airport. Hope that helps.

So lets hope they are found soon. What else has to happen before George and everyone else in charge gets their head out of the sand?

How about we do this. At each major airport, and at each border crossing, we post singns in all languages the reads the following.
* We have not learned our lesson from 9/11. All illegal immigrants, all terrorists no need to sneak in. Just arrive at any airport, or boder crossing. Walk up to the customs officer and say. I'm an illegal immigrant or a terrorist. I would like entry into your country*. They will have no problem getting in.

Just for the record, note that the story doesn't say they "entered" the US illegally. Rather, the advisory says they are now illegal (i.e., AWOL) now because they did not show up for their classes in Montana. Let's get the facts right before we assume US security was amiss.

How nice! Just in time for a sequel to 9/11. When will we ever learn? A special thanks to all the liberals who fight to allow the F1 Visa program to continue. It's time to stop this nonsense.

While I agree that there could be something up, my question is, when did Egyptian equal Taliban? I agree that we have to be strict with who we allow into the country and who knows if these young men are up to no good BUT profiling of any kind is wrong and we all need to remember that. It wasn't too many years ago that Jews and Asians and those of African heritage were being BLANTANTLY profiled (and truthfully, in some cases, they still are) and we are starting to do the same thing with anyone who MIGHT be middle eastern. Kinda sad! I really hope these gentleman are found and that whatever they were doing was innocent so as to prove the conservative community wrong.

Yes, they were here on student Visa's then didn't show up. Read the article.

They're here for White Castle! Duh...

Something isn't adding up. The story says they are students but also says they are illegal. If they are students, doesn't that mean they should have a Visa? I wish to hear more on this story. Did the students have fake Visa's to make it seem like they were students?

Well if they had student Visa's, they are not here illegally.

I'm guessing they weren't illegal until they didn't show up for classes. (I work in HR). Their visas were probably only good for study, so since they're not at the university, they're now in the country illegally.

And there are Eleven (11) which also is related to Sept 11 ?

Something is DEFINATELY wrong here. In todays world this should not have happened, and is completely unforgivable. I have to wonder if they all arrived on the same plane? And if so, shouldn't 11 known illegals on a plane big a BIG alert to all government agencies. They shoulda been at the gate with cuffs and pistols at the ready.

Everyone's cutting down Homeland Security and they don't even know why the "students" are illegal, except for Todd. EVERYONE needs to learn more about security and what to do in case of emergency. Do you know what your local and state emergency management procedures are for various situations? Or are you going to wait and hope someone else will be there to insure your safety later on, or just complain when nobody is there to rescue you. This F1 situation can happen anytime and anywhere. How do you monitor everyone with visas 24/7? Visit your states Emergency Management website and find out what you should do during emergencies, just in case something happens near you.

So, where are their pictures? What do they look like? We can't be expected to be on alert looking for someone if we don't have pictures!

This is not a liberal vs. conservative issue. Please stop claiming that liberals are the problem with allowing potential terror threats into the country.

The issue comes down to the ridiculousness of not using racial profiling. We have a specific group of people from a specific part of the world that want us all to die. Shouldn't we be investigating groups of "students" applying together to American universities anyway?

Many liberals argue that we can not compromise our freedoms in exchange for greater security from islamic terrorism. However, WHEN we are attacked again, the first casualty will be those freedoms that liberals are defending. By making it more difficult to prevent an attack, we are creating the environment that will lessen our fundamental liberties.

They got in just like the other terrorists. How could no one at JFK be suspicious of these 11 men... What's going on at our airports??? Now the US has to spend lots of money tracking them down.

This is not a liberal vs. conservative issue. Please stop claiming that liberals are the problem with allowing potential terror threats into the country.

The issue comes down to the ridiculousness of not using racial profiling. We have a specific group of people from a specific part of the world that want us all to die. Shouldn't we be investigating groups of "students

To someone who studies security matters seriously, there is one, and only one really worrisome fact: All eleven of them are missing. This isn't "Two drunk young men are in a brothel" type AWOL. Where are they? How could they go missing as a group "accidentally"? What is there source of funding? Who is helping them (vehicles, guidance, lodging, etc.)?

Just great students my foot. Find them and get them out we need gto lock the borders and stop sending money to all these secrewed up countries. They are illegal and need removed!

They were let into our country legally . . . they are now here illegally because they never showed up for their classes. Obviously something is amiss - are they on holiday, are they lost or are they really terrorists? My guess is they're lost and having a great time.

This country will never learn we are in war still to this day and still letting illegal people enter are country. How smart are we? 11 missing will be found on the 11th day of Sept. probably with connection to something bad again for all.

They were here LEGALLY. They got in LEGALLY, with permission . The moved about LEGALLY. When they failed to show up for school as per their docs, they became illegal.

This country will never learn we are in war still to this day and still letting illegal people enter are country. How smart are we? 11 missing will be found on the 11th day of Sept. probably with connection to something bad again for all.

What if these people detoured to the Grand Canyon on their way to Montana (the US has some very interesting parks), got hi-jacked by some crazy Texans, would have been in Montana by now... but are dead in the desert... what if?

How many more American lives need to be lost before the liberals understand that if we deny entrance into our country and invade the privacy of a few innocent people that we will save thousands of lives. Isn't that worth it???

I just called MSU and thier classes don't start till the 23rd...their number is (406) 994-2452. FISHY FISHY FISHY

ummm, ABC, wouldn't it make sense to post their photos? I doubt anyone will be able to notice these guys based on their birthdays alone, just a thought.

This Liberal versus Conservative tone the shows up in almost every issue has me concerned for this country. Instead of everything being a finger pointing blame game between the two groups, how about starting to think as Americans again. If this partisan thinking keeps up, it won't be long before were just like the Sunnis and Shites in Iraq. They think of themselves as Sunnis and Shites before thinking of themselves as Iraqis. Seems like that is the way America is going. People seem to be thinking of themselves as liberal or conservatives first and Americans second.

It wouldn't be the first time that some students screw up their status by not showing up for classes on time. Except that if those were Germans or Brits, nobody would make a big fuss about it.

Please keep in mind that in trying to hunt down these Egyptians that you are not allowed to racially profile. We should give this to the Democrats to resolve. I am sure they can lure them back into the public view with hugs and kisses.

Dear Homeland Security -- QUESTION: If we can turn airplanes around for names on a do not call list from England and France, then why is it so difficult to watch ELEVEN Middle Eastern Montana student(s) ... whom you allowed into the country? ANSWER: Because no one is monitoring these people as they illegally enter (or don't attend classes) into our country. It seems to me, that before we allow anymore of these "student visas" ... that we should have ankle bracelets on them when we are concerned about what their plans are ... why not require all Middle Eastern travelers to wear some type of tracking devise ... so that other Americans can continue to enjoy their personal freedom without losing it?

In other words, protect our liberty from foriegners and protect AMERICA from losing any of it --

Folks you are saying liberals but the conservatives are in charge!!! It's their homeland security that was formed, and the these illegals are here, along with many others, under their watch. hummm.

This is never going to stop, so we need to take the steps to stop what we can and prepare for those attacks we can not stop. Stop the F1 visas being issued without an in depth security investigation on the other side, and that at the expense of the visa applicant. On this side, we need to establish our response to the attack that is going to come. There will be no more WTC disaster. The next attack will be with small arms, AK47's and the like, at small town malls and will be against those areas that can not defend themselves or are ill equipped to do so. To that defense, we need to follow the lead of some of our sister states, make it legal to arm yourself. Carry that weapon so the intruders know we are waiting for them. Another thought would be to look to the millions of trained military personnel who are retired or finished their "hitch" and are now civilians. All of them have been trained in small arms use, safe use. Arm them as auxiliary state police or auxiliary US Marshalls and let them carry a weapon.

Give them a break! Maybe they took a wrong turn in Albuquerque? LOL

If classes don't start till the 23rd, then the students aren't even really illegal yet. F-1's are allowed to enter up to 30 days before their program start date.

They are here illegally because they had their visas revoked AFTER they failed to show up for classes, as stated in the various news articles covering this subject. They entered the US in a perfectly legal manner.

Nice, we just do not get it do we? 9/11 was so sad and people are still hurting from all that happened. We are setting our selfs up once again by letting people into the US. Maybe the next time they will take more lives and maybe then we just might get it.

Thanks for using this topic (or any other for that matter) to blame so-called "liberals" for every failing of our government past and present.

Since I have opposed this president's colossal failure in Iraq since before day 1, I guess I must be lumped in with the liberal group even though historically I have voted Republican.

Even though Republicans have had a stranglehold on legisaltive power since 1994, 12 years later all you can offer on any topic is hate-filled blame for liberals.

If you people were born 50 years earlier you would be labeling any one who didn't share your exact opinions as Communists - the uninformed simpletons' moniker of choice during that era.

Stop listening to Rush and Sean and please rejoin our great society.

I just called MSU ... classes start Aug. 28th. and not Aug. 23rd.

Just called the FBI and asked if they heard of this...the two agents I talked to said they had not...but would get back to me on it in a few days...FBI website says nothing

ok wow...half of your comments complain and whine about how they got through customs if they were illegal. They werent illegal when they came here...they were on a student visa, which means they broke the law the first day they didnt show up for classes. Stop blaming liberals or home land security for something they didnt do wrong. oh and i love the right-winged ignorance.

Um, profiling is always wrong????
Here's a scenario: If there were several bear attacks in my neighborhood, would I be wrong to be cautious of only bears or should I be cautious of rabbits,squirrels and racoons as well? If I were only cautious of the bears I guess that would be unfair. lol

University of Montana classes begin on August 28th. If they're attending some other Montana school, what's that school's first day of classes. If it hasn't happened yet, when did these "students" not show up for classes, and if it was for a summer session (which began for U of M on June 26th) why wait until now to alert the masses. C'mon ABC news, give more details here. Otherwise, perhaps you're just helping the GOP with their scare tactics of waiting until they need bogeymen before they release news of missing Arabs without due dilligence into why this is news today rather than a non-primary day closer to the event in question.

Is this Peter "It's all over except for the counting, and we'll take care of the counting" King?

It takes some gall to blame such a situation on "liberals" -- "liberals" being anyone who isn't a neo-con -- considering who is in power right now. It's the neo-cons who control Congress and the White House, who have left the borders wide open.

This seems awfully convenient timing too. The primary in Connecticut is a referrendum of sorts on Iraq policy. Nothing like putting a good scare into to the voters. If this is a real threat, how 'bout showing us some photos so we can find these guys?

everyone needs to stop being so ingnorant just because they come from that specific side of the world doesnt mean that they are bad people, there's bad people in America, let them enjoy themseleves here in america, the fall semester doesn't start until about another week or two

How about we focus on a solution to this situation. Are there photographs of these guys? Having their names and ages is nice, but that doesn't help the average American notice them.

Gee, a setup for another bogus "attack".

How convenient!

Let's see ... 19 guys made chimps out the ENTIRE US military, so 11 guys can only outfox the DHS, the Army and the Navy.

Maybe their target will be the Amish popcorn stand in Indiana that the DHS identified as a target a couple of weeks ago?

OK, not U of M, but from the story Montana State University. Same schedule - classes don't start till the 28th, the last partial summer term started June 26th. Either this story is very late, or the fact they entered last week and haven't shown up to classes is incorrect. Again, ABC, tell us the accurate story.

Now I am confused. They arrived in the US about 10 days ago. If it is true that their classes don't start until August 23rd, 15 days from now, then why have their visas been cancelled?

There are problems with the story.

Whatever turns out to be the truth, it is clearly impractical for a Muslim or Middle Easterner to travel in the US or maybe even in Europe without suspician these days.

There is too much suspician and hatred based on race and religion.

That is certainly not completely new.

Dear ABC News: I'd sure like to see pictures of these guys. Names don't do much good.

Rather than point guilt at the government for losing track of the "students", take a look at yourselves. I remember every lesson that was learned on September 11th. However, if the listed "students" were from say, italy, there wouldnt have been one reply on this page or about this new article. Racial profiling is being done, whether we believe it to be wrong or not. We must not let the atrocious sins of a group tarnish the name of everyone who follows a certain religion or lives in a certain area of the world.

In this article, it says they were there for an exchange program. Just to clarify for those saying that classes haven't started yet.

Still, I wonder why CNN and other news outlets haven't reported this.

HHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMM.... They are enrolled for classes at montana state university, why in the world did they get flown into JFK, lets ask that again, why did they get flown into JFK, why didn't they get flown directly to Montana if they are here just for studies and their visas are only good for that, dumb founded stuff. i'm not sure what to think ?

classes dont start @ Montana State until the 23rd of August...

How can they have failed to show up for classes if the classes don't start until 8/24? This seems like much ado about nothing, just another scare tactic. They are probably doing some site seeing on their way to Montana. people..GET A GRIP!

Does anyone else remember the recent video statement from Al Qaeda that they had just joined forces with an Egyptian jihadist group? Wonder if these "students" are part of that group...?

This is a war for your freedom as Americans, what does American and freedom mean anyway to you? I don't guess much. Sacrifice your few remaining liberties if you like. Most of you above are idiots don't deserve either anyway.

Stop issuing F1's. It was the bloody liberals who pushed for this to continue

I've got a good idea. How bout we just stop letting in all these people. "sorry we're full, come back next year"! Better yet, shoot to kill at the borders, how bout that! I'm sick of all the JIHADS wanting to come over here and mess with america! don't these idiots know that everyone here just minds there own business and doesnn't give to flips about what is going on in their country. i saw we pull outta everyone elses business around the globe and let them deal with their own problems!

I think you are blowing this story a little bit out of control. At least it looks like the folks in Bozeman have a bit better grasp on reality and what is really going on here.

Google this phrase
"U.S. Is Given Failing Grades By 9/11 Panel"
and you will see who is responsible for allowing our airports, borders and ports to remain unsecure nearly 5 years after the fact.
Hint - They are Americans, but not Liberal.

And America has pulled another Homer...doh!

Gah! Here we go again.

Before posting comments, I would suggest the authors actually read the article before forming ignorant, ill-formed arguments against these students entry. As one poster commented, the conservatives are in charge, so if the conservative (and obviously illiterate) posters want to condemn someone for failing to stop these students from entering the country legally, than they should blame their own conservative and defective government. Although, I really don't see how this is conservative versus liberal issue. I see it more of a constitutional issue - anyone here heard of the Bill of Rights- something the conservatives want to give away on a silver platter. Obviously these people do not know their American history. There was a reason the bill of rights was formed. Go back and read your history texts.

first place I would look would be any avation training places.

There are just two problems with all of this:

A. We only hear about scary stuff when they want to divert attention away from something else, e.g., the CT primaries where Joe "Kiss Me Bush" Lieberman is going to lose

B. We still do NOTHING about Saudis. Remember 15 of the hijackers were Saudi, but as long as Bush is in bed with them, we will do nothing about the real threat, Wahabiists, who come from Saudi Arabia.

Something's not right here. How can they have not shown up for classes that don't begin for two more weeks? My kids are not back at college yet either. This does not add up.

I agee with previous comments. Why don't you people think about what is happening before freaking out that they got here illegally. THEY DIDN'T GET HER ILLEGALLY. They entered the US in a perfectly legal fashion, then became illegal when they broke the confinements of their Visas by not going to class. My gosh. Why don't you people think before writing.

The comments that I have read make me so sad for America!!!!! The comprehension level exhibited by us, the Americans, is shameful. Thanks to all those who had the good sense to realize that these 11 Egyptians entered the country with legal visas as students, but became illegal when they did not follow the proper procedure for reporting to the university.

Now, instead complaining about the failure, let us look for solutions.

1. Pictures need to be attached to student visa information.

2. Detailed information about height, eye color, weight, etc. is needed.

3. An effective alert system should be developed. Modeled after the Amber Alert system.

This should be done for all foreigners entering the country on student visas. Not just middle eastern students.

And let us all remember that Timothy Mcviegh was an AMERICAN.

Educate yourself and those around you to help eliminate IGNORANCE!

It is wise for people to be aware that Egypt is not so much different from other Islamic countries that harbor hatred for Americans. Terrorist come from all parts of the middle east. A little bit of self education would have taught you that. No laws were broken for them to come into this country on their visa's. They became illegal when they did not report as needed to class or to proper authorities for check-in. Reread the article, you must have missed that.
As for being a conservative, I am. I joined the Army at seventeen and everyday I am thankful that I have a country worth fighting for. If more liberals actually physically defended this country as opposed to enjoying our freedoms without working for them then they would appreciate the serious circumstances of the situation.

Well, why do u guys presume they are terrorist? Ok, maybe they broke the law by not showing at school cause they were planning to become illegal immigrants like thousands do every year. Being Egyptians doesn't make them terrorists. Nor does the fact that there are 11 of them.

Here we go again ,After these guys go blowing our people and our buildings up again maybee some of these bleeding heart liberals will wake up to the truth that these people want to destroy us and our way of life.Profiling is not only acceptable its necessary to stop these people

Blame the liberals for letting them into the Country. Isn't the current administration, the ones responsible for enacting laws and such to protect us Conservative?

Montana State University? And what courses could those be in August? How do we know that the Bush Administration didn't plant this as false information to make Americans think that they're protecting us and to give Bush license to do whatever he pleases?

Why is everyone panicking? Students are notoriously lazy, maybe they stayed up partying all night and couldn't make it to class. Why so quick to condemn? We are altogether too pananoid regarding Muslims and Arabs. Please stop the paranoid racisem.

A nationwide alert? What am I looking for...eleven Egyptians? Now THAT is racial profiling. If any American citizen is supposed to recognize these young men, then why not utilize some highly advanced technology, like eleven PHOTOGRAPHS? (My passport has a photo!)Oh, I 'get' it, that might give the ACLU cause for alarm/lawsuits. And many people are raising a good question...are we sure they will not show up at the University (if classes haven't begun yet?)

I just checked Montana State University's website. Fall semester orientation doesn't start till August 23. Classes don't start till August 28. So, what classes did these students not show up for?

As the article states, these were 11 students entering the US. They entered legally, but became illegal after failing to show up for class. Realisticly, there wasn't much the government could do to prevent these young men from going AWOL short of holding their hands and leading them to class. Furthermore, as one already pointed out, Egypt does not ultimately lead to Taliban. Let's not jump to conclusions.

The Liberal person that wrote "While I agree that there could be something up, my question is, when did Egyptian equal Taliban?" will be the first person crying to the government that the government did not do enough when the next bomb goes off!!! We have to profile, middle eastern men ARE the terorists, not the grandmothers of our children. Do not tell me that you do not get nervous when a middle eastern young man with a beard gets on your plane. We have to be vigil and I appreciate the work the FBI and government is doing!

I'd be thinking where are the photos's of these guys? Obviouly