MEMBERS OF CONGRESS COMPLAIN OF SHABBY TREATMENT FROM CHICAGO INS OFFICE

On September 13, 1999, the House Immigration Subcommittee held a hearing in Chicago to address rising concerns about the quality of service at the Chicago INS District Office.  Among those testifying were immigrants who dealt with the office, as well as Representatives who had first-hand experience of the office.

People spoke about the standard answer they would receive to questions about why applications take so long to process – thousands of documents are lost. 

Testimony from Thelma Hummel, the staff person who handles immigration concerns for Rep. Philip Crane (R-Ill) highlighted the apparent ineptitude of the office.  She reported that after calling the office to check on the status of a citizenship application, and identifying herself as a staffer for Rep. Crane, the INS reply was that they had no information on “Congressman Crane’s citizenship.”

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill) also testified.  She reported on her experiences standing in line outside the office during July, to see how immigrants were treated.  Despite the fact that she is a Congresswoman, she did not receive special treatment – she was told to “move or go to jail” when she did not follow instructions promptly enough. 

Brian Perryman, the Director of the Chicago office admitted that the office could do better.  He pointed to changes that should improve service, including retraining employees in customer service and cultural sensitivity.

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