HOUSE IMMIGRATION SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON THE INS

This week the House Immigration Subcommittee held a hearing on the state of the INS.  Acting Commissioner Kevin Rooney attempted to deflect criticism of the agency, arguing that while it has problems delivering service, it is taking steps in the right direction.  He pointed to the significant improvement in naturalization processing times, down from an average of almost two years to about six months now.  Rooney also spoke of the improvements that are being made in the INS detention system.

Rooney’s comments, however, did not assuage the concerns of critics of the agency, including Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), who called for training Border Patrol agents in human rights and for alternatives to the current detention system.  On any given day there are more than 20,000 people in INS detention.

Another witness, Roy Beck, the Executive Director of NumbersUSA, a group that advocates restricting immigration, spoke about the frustration many feel because they do not see the INS making real efforts to prevent undocumented immigration.  He called for increased interior enforcement, as well as more resources for border enforcement.

Also giving testimony at the hearing were Peggy Philbin, the Acting Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review and Bishop Thomas Wenski from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Statements from the witnesses are available online at http://www.house.gov/judiciary/claims_witness_051501.htm.