I am glad to be here today to voice my support for long overdue reforms to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Last November, Attorney General Ashcroft and Commissioner Ziglar released their proposal to restructure the Immigration and Naturalization Service. That same day, I asked Senators Kennedy and Brownback to bring this important issue to light by holding a hearing on the Administration proposal. I thank my colleagues for holding this hearing today to begin discussion on the problems facing the INS.
The American people do not need to be convinced that reforms to the INS are necessary. We all heard about the student visa approvals being sent to the terrorists six months after they crashed into the World Trade Center. We know there have been failures to detect and address immigration benefit fraud. We know that the agency is not abiding by provisions of the Whistleblower Protection Act.
I understand that Commissioner Ziglar is moving ahead with his plan. On April 17, the first steps in implementing the plan were taken by "strengthening the chains of command for the Border Patrol" and "establishing the Office of Juvenile Affairs." They have more significant steps currently being acted on, including the creation of a Field Advisory Board.
Why aren't we getting answers straight from the Administration about the snafus that have occurred at the INS or the actions they've taken thus far? We will be giving the agency millions of dollars this year to run more efficiently and implement changes to the structure. As a member of this committee whose responsibility it is to oversee the INS' management and performance, I want to hear some answers from the commissioner in control.
I know there's growing consensus to split the INS. I agree there are conflicts of interest in trying to enforce our immigration laws and providing service to new immigrants. However, I think the two new bureaus need to continue to work together, hand in hand, in order to best serve the country. I know the Attorney General and Commissioner propose to create an information officer. What other links will be put in place to make sure that these two bureaus work cooperatively and remain unified under one director?
We can't simply move boxes around and rename the agency, and then claim it's a new and improved bureaucracy. We need to fix the systemic problems of the INS.
I think that any bill mandating changes to the INS should include provisions that really make the INS accountable. We need to improve oversight and allow investigations of misconduct. We need to enhance the whistle blower protection provided to INS employees and protect them from retaliation.
We need assurance that interior enforcement issues will be addressed. Just last week, 646 illegals were arrested in Nebraska because they were smuggled into states beyond the border.
We need improvements to customer service and see that the agency is doing it's best to accommodate new residents. The latest idea, thanks to Senator Hatch, creates a number of field or satellite offices for service and enforcement personnel. I think this is a welcomed measure.
I know that legislative action is needed. We've give the agency enough leeway to reform itself, but now it's time that Congress step in.
I look forward to the next hearing on this issue with testimony from the Commissioner.