The Senate began hearings in early May relating to Senator Alan Simpson’s immigration overhaul bill. Issues discussed include INS plans to increase staffing, expand direct mail programs at the regional service centers and increase resources devoted to naturalization (naturalization applications have jumped from 110,000 in the first quarter of 1994 to 180,000 for the same quarter this year). The Senate Subcommittee on Immigration also discussed criminal aliens.
The President also sent Congress his immigration reform bill in early May. The bill includes the following provisions:
- increased border enforcement;
- streamlining the deportation process;
- increasing law enforcement powers to thwart alien smuggling;
- allowing expedited exclusion procedures in emergencies;
- increasing enforcement of employer sanctions rules;
- improving employment verification procedures.
Administration officials and Congressional staff members are said to be working on a compromise bill that would be supported by the President, Senator Simpson and Senator Diane Feinstein who has introduced another bill.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. The information provided in this article has not been updated since its original posting and you should not rely on it until you consult counsel to determine if the content is still valid. We keep older articles online because it helps in the understanding of the development of immigration law.