"The difficult mission of the INS became even more challenging after September 11, when individuals who exploited our immigration policies carried out violent acts of terror against American citizens," Grassley said. "This hearing will provide a valuable and timely opportunity for the INS to spell out the details of its restructuring plan. I appreciate the INS moving forward to make improvements. Now it's time for Congress to do its part to help see that structural and procedural changes are effective."
Grassley said he wants to make sure any make-over of the federal agency improves enforcement of immigration laws and ensures better management of legal immigration cases in Iowa. He cautioned that previous efforts by the INS to restructure itself have fallen short and sometimes created new problems.
"Congress allocates tax dollars to the federal agencies, and members of Congress have a responsibility to ask questions and keep watch over the bureaucracy," said Grassley, who has compiled a record of effective oversight of various federal agencies.
In November, Grassley asked Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) to convene a hearing. Kennedy is the chairman and Brownback is the ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration. Grassley said he is pleased that a full committee hearing has been scheduled.
The restructuring plan unveiled by administration officials last year would separate the enforcement and service functions of the INS into two separate bureaus. Local, district and regional field offices would be replaced by separate offices for enforcement and immigration services. The INS said the reforms could take two years to complete.