Speech #930057099

Chairman. it seems to me that what we have been doing here today and in recent days is talking about a number of side issues on related aspects of this particular reorganization plan. and giving too little consideration to the merits of the plan and the reorganization itself. For examples sake. we have been making a number of allegations. I have heard it said that the reorganization plan breaks up the Immigration and Naturalization Service and severely impacts their deportation function. Well. I suppose that it does to a point affect the Immigration and Naturalization Service. but they will still function effectively. We have heard it said that the reorganization plan will allow a flood of illegal aliens to enter the United States because of the loss of inspectors with immigration experience at the ports of entry. This is some sort. of problem. but it certainly Is one that can be handled at least as effectively as at the present. We have heard it said that customs inspectors will not be able to effectively perform the immigration Inspections function. I do not know what that argument is. I do not know what "effectiveness" is. Certainly there is no reason they cannot do the job. We have heard it said that present immigration inspectors are not qualified to do customs cargo inspection. I cannot conceive of that. If they are qualified to be immigration inspectors involving personnel. it is beyond comprehension that they would not be able to inspect cargo. We have heard it said that customs inspectors will not be able to handle complicated immigration problems. I am about to conclude that the customs inspectors we have now are unqualified to do their jobs to which they are assigned if they cannot do some of these things. I do not. however. consider them unqualified. I do believe they can do the job. Then. we have heard it said that under the terms of the reorganization plan. that immigration officers not assigned regularly to inspection work will no longer be eligible for 1931 act premium pay. I just mention that to provide the point that we are really dealing with some very minor aspects of the problem. Mr.