Speech #980213839

I would like to applaud the committee for its wisdom in accepting this terribly important amendment. Mr. Chairman. in addition to other things. this amendment calls for the Attorney General to provide for an inservice training for full- and parttime personnel of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It is designed to familiarize INS personnel to better understand and deal with the various immigrant communities. Also. it would enhance community outreach within the INS while improving the ability to receive and investigate complaints of abuse of authority by personnel of the INS. I regard this amendment as absolutely necessary. We must improve the workings of the INS: we must ensure that it enforces the law. but we must also ensure that when doing its job it does not abuse its authority and violate the rights and dignity of people. We must work to sensitize the INS and this amendment begins to set the foundation for accomplishing this objective. We have seen and heard various complaints which paint a picture of overzealous enforcement of immigration laws by INS personnel. There have been cases such as the case of Mario Garcia who was the son of a Mexican national legally in San Diego to work and was deported because he looked like an illegal alien. Another example was brought out at. a community hearing in Orange County in which Father John Caulfield spoke of immigration raids on English classes at his churchs parish. Another example. which resulted in death. deals with the INS chasing a car which eventually was struck by a hay truck and caused the death of 11 people. The legal counsel for the families involved stated that the "agent chased them for 29 miles at speeds up to 100 mph without turning his siren or flashing his lights. and without any attempt to get help from other law enforcement authorities to pull them over." In my own district. in a sweep entitled "Operation Jobs." the INS terrifed schoolchildren who looked foreign. In an attempt to send a "message" to their parents regarding their immigration status. the children were rounded up. identification was demanded of them. and they were treated roughly. The very name of the operation was meant to divide the community and put an onus on foreignlooking people at a time when unemployment was rampant. This sort of tactic by the INS is totally unacceptable. These are examples of INS abuse of authority and insensitivity which makes the Roybal amendment imperative. It may not correct all of these abuses but it certainly will begin the process for improving the working relationships between the INS and immigrant communities.