"We can't simply move boxes around, rename the agency, and then claim it's a new and improved bureaucracy," Grassley said. "We need improvements to customer service and efforts to make sure the agency is doing its best to accommodate new residents while still enforcing the nation's immigration laws."
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. The senator is seeking a new INS office in the Quad Cities. He cautioned that previous efforts by the INS to restructure itself have fallen short and sometimes created new problems.
"I've been making the case for more caseworkers for Iowa since we got the first INS office opened in Iowa in 1996. It's been an uphill battle with the INS rejecting requests year after year," Grassley said.
On March 14, Grassley wrote to Attorney General Ashcroft to request more service and enforcement personnel in the Quad Cities. He has also appealed to Senate appropriators for funding for the office.
"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. "We need provisions that really hold 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 if they speak out against their employer. "
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, but Congress is also leaning toward legislative action to force changes.
In November, Grassley asked Judiciary Committee leaders to convene the hearing. Grassley said he was pleased that a full committee hearing was held today, but additional hearings are needed.