Speech #930193687

I am one who has objected to nongermane amendments being placed on House bills by the Senate. I am. however. sympathetic with the objective that the amendment seeks to achieve as I deplore the apparent violation of personal and constitutional rights which the Collinsville incident revealed. I also believe very strongly that the Immigration Service should be able to make its plans for future activity with the certainty that the passage of this legislation will provide. We have a very serious problem of illegal aliens in this country. Los Angeles County in my State and the Southwest generally are being literally overrun by aliens who find ways to get through the border patrol and our INS inspectors at ports of entry. This is a problem that demands immediate and concerted attention and the steppedup activity of the INS if we are not to be completely inundated. But as long as congressional action is unfinished. the uncertainty about jobs and status among INS personnel Is having a severe effect on morale and work in the INS. General Chapman. the new head of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. called on me to express his great concern about the problem. as have numerous other officials of the Justice Department and the administration. The American Federation of Government Employees. which represents a number of the INS personnel. has also made representations about the need for a quick resolution of this problem. I have. therefore. requested the forebearance of Members who object to the procedure which is often followed by the Senate so that we can put this matter behind us and get on with the important task of strengthening the Immigration Service as the Director of OMB promised that it would be strengthened. I am aware that there is pending before the Donohue subcommittee of the Committee on Judiciary legislation requested by the administration which is more comprehensive in scope than the Ervin amendment in this bill. In view of the circumstances. however.