Speech #960216205

Mr. Speaker. over the weekend the Immigration and Naturalization Service announced new rules with respect to its apprehension of undocumented residents in the country. The directive which takes effect immediately and extends through July 1. was prompted by the public backlash which followed recent indiscriminate sweeps of areas in Phoenix. Austin. and Los Angeles that netted approximately 1.000 persons. These illtimed raids which occurred a few days before the census began were aimed almost exclusively at commercial establishments and as such purportedly fell outside the scope of the Attorney Generals earlier order prohibiting roundups in residential neighborhoods. Basically. the directive bans apprehensions of undocumented persons in places of residence or employment unless a specific individual is investigated or INS has first obtained a search warrant or court order authorizing such activity. This should effectively put an end to random sweeps. Mr. Speaker. for over a year now I have traveled to many communities in minority areas in my capacity as chairman of the Subcommittee on Census and Population to urge citizens and noncitizens alike to participate in the census. I have repeatedly stressed the fact that the census is absolutely confidential and that no one including the President could see an individuals answers. Yet. in a matter of a few days INS agents have done more to destroy public confidence and heighten suspicions among the poor and minorities of this country than anything else.