Speech #1000124354

This is what we said. That it should be selfgenerated and it is. Many were also concerned that the Immigration and Naturalization Service. so long underfunded and maligned from all quarters. would be unable to fairly and firmly handle the implementation of the bill. I join with my friend from Massachusetts in saying that we see that the INS has truly. I think. met the test. I believe the "naysayers" have been proven wrong again. Having adequate funding for a change. the Immigration Service. under the very able and the wholly accessible nature and personality of the Commissioner. Al Nelson. has shown itself to be fair. firm. and trustworthy. I think it is an agency that reflects the personality of its director. It is trustworthy. We see that now more than 85 percentI think this is very important85 percent of the legalization applicants. those illegal aliens who are seeking legal status under the bill. or amnesty under the bill. have applied directly to the INS for that remarkable act of grace. Now. that is interesting. They came to the INS rather than go through the voluntary agency networks which we felt we had to establish in order to accept applications if we were to be sure we could encourage a "fearful" alien to come forward and apply under the bill.