New York, December 3, 2009 -- Aryeh Spero, president of Caucus For America, released the following statement today:

“Attorney General Eric Holder’s unprecedented decision to try the 9/11 terrorists  in a civil court, and in New York City, provides an opening for espionage all across the city by Islamists who will be acting and posing as journalists with all the entitlements and opportunities afforded the press.

 “Many hundreds of Islamists undoubtedly will be given press passes by their countries and will enter our country without the normal background scrutiny.  During their extended period here to cover a trial that will be prolonged by the terrorists’ attorneys, the ‘journalists’ will no doubt fan out across all of the city’s boroughs, taking photos, mapping out every nook and cranny, and other forms of reconnaissance, and be able to do so under the cover of freedom of the press.

“Assuredly, hundreds of these ‘journalists’ will find lodging in every borough and in the city’s adjacent counties of Westchester and Nassau,  and in New Jersey, and will use their stay here to cultivate and propagandize for radical Islam and act as face-to-face agents networking and bringing together the area’s more radical groups.

“The Attorney General’s decision is dangerous and appears to place greater emphasis on how terrorists are treated than the safety of the American people and their families.  Mr. Holder:  you still have time to change your decision and do right by the American people.”