Grassley Urges Attorney General Reno to Address INS Problems in Iowa


Sen. Chuck Grassley today wrote to Attorney General Janet Reno asking her to look into several areas where the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in Iowa can be improved, including service, support personnel and enforcement.

In a letter sent today, Grassley specifically cited the need to address the backlog of immigration cases. He said applicants often have to wait for hours to obtain answers to their questions or even the proper forms needed to process their requests. Grassley indicated that many people still have to travel to Omaha to simply obtain employment authorization.

Grassley serves on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration. In 1996, he successfully petitioned the Department of Justice to locate INS officials in Iowa to assist with legal immigrants applying for citizenship, as well as to address the illegal immigration problem in Iowa.