Speech #1020195305

While the weed component will continue to bolster law enforcement. the seed component will provide assistance in addressing the underlying economic and social problems that lead to drug use and dependency. I believe it is too early at this stage to declare Weed and Seed a successbut I do believe it is a significant initiative that deserves support from Congress. I also support report language accompanying the bill that directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to use additional reimbursement moneys from the examinations fee account for 100 additional land border inspectors. This past year. INS has requested a total of 500 additional Border Patrol agents but not one additional inspector. However. during testimony before our subcommittee. Commissioner McNary admitted that INS was at least 300 inspectors understaffed at the southwest border. Given the booming trade with Mexico. and the promise of a North American FreeTrade Agreements. I would strongly urge the INS to reorder its priorities. Illegal aliens are a problem. But the primary mission of the INS is to facilitate legal immigration and legal border crossings. I hope INS will remember this when its budget for fiscal year 1994 is submitted next year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation will receive a very tight funding allocation under this bill.