Speech #1040190365

I am pleased that with the support of our colleagues LAMAR SMITH and ELTON GALLEGLY. who have worked so hard on this bill. a provision has been included in this amendment to clarify the intent of the 1994 crime bill. It would simply ensure that all local governments. including counties. cities. as well as municipalities. have the opportunity to apply for the financial compensation they are entitled to for costs associated with incarcerating criminal aliens. I also strongly support a provision In the amendment that would authorize a pilot project by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to Identify illegal aliens among those incarcerated by the city of Anaheim and Ventura. A recent 60day survey conducted by the Anaheim Police Department. located in my district. found that 35 percent of the inmates sent to the Anaheim City Jail were unable to produce documentation that they were In the country legally. Under the proposed pilot program. an INS agent would be stationed in Anaheims Jail to perform frontline documentation and appropriate questioning of criminally charged suspected illegal aliens. This will enhance the relationship between INS officials and local law enforcement and help speed up the deportation process for criminal aliens. And I believe that. if successful. the program has the potential to be a significant benefit for the entire country. Like the many other measures contained in the managers amendment. these are critical provisions that deserve our support.