The information I have received regarding the implementation of the legalization program in California is consistent with the information presented in this New York Times editorial. I have heard from church organizations which are involved in processing legalization applications. State officials representing Californias Health and Welfare Agency. immigrant service centers. unions. civil rights organizations. business leaders. and undocumented individuals. and. somewhat amazingly. they all agree on one thing. The legalization program is not being implemented in the compassionate fashion we intended. The primary issue upon which this allegation rests is INS failure to establish a policy that will adquately resolve the problem which arises when some members of a family unit qualify for legalization under the act and other family members do not. Mr. President. my colleagues may recall that I originally raised this issue in the Senate on May 19 of this year when I introduced Senate Joint Resolution 131. which urged the INS to utilize its authority to provide relief from deportation of ineligible family members. and work authorization where appropriate. to assure family unity. At that time I. along with California Congressmen RoYBAL. ToRaEs. and BERMAN. met with INS Commissioner Nelson to express our concerns regarding this issue.
Keywords matched
immigrant deportation undocumented