Posted on 02/25/2006 2:26:22 PM PST by AZRepublican
June 15 1994
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Warning of a backlash against legal immigrants, several senators are pushing legislation designed to stop the flow of undocumented aliens and speed up deportation of those convicted of crimes.
At a hearing Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the lawmakers cited figures that one-quarter of the federal prison population is made up of aliens, and that 11,000 convicted felons in 1992 failed to show up for deportation hearings.
If the illegal immigration problem is ignored, said Sen. Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., ``it could lead to true anti-immigrant sentiments.''
``If we fail to act, it's only going to escalate ill will toward all aliens,'' Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., agreed.
Attorney General Janet Reno promised ``we will gain control of our border.'' But she told the hearing that the illegal-immigrant population, estimated at 3.8 million, is increasing by about 300,000 annually.
Among other steps being taken by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Reno said, are an increase of 1,000 agents to the current Border Patrol strength of 4,000 and a goal to double the deportations of criminals, which reached 22,000 in fiscal 1993.
She said $300 million is being sought in next year's budget to beef up border control, deport criminal aliens and reform the asylum process.
The administration also is seeking $350 million to help states cover the expense of imprisoning aliens. Several states, including Florida and California, have sued the federal government to get back some of the billions of dollars they say they spend on welfare, education, health care and incarceration of aliens.
Several senators are promoting legislation to slow the flow of illegal aliens.
Feinstein introduced a bill Wednesday that would increase the Border Patrol by 2,100 agents over three years, create a counterfeit-proof identity card for aliens working in this country, ban welfare benefits for immigrants who are not legal permanent residents and double the prison term for smuggling illegal aliens to 10 years.
Other immigration bills being considered by the Judiciary Committee:
--By Sen. William Roth, R-Del., would streamline the deportation process and provide for deporting any alien who commits a felony. Last year only 4 percent of criminal aliens were deported, he said.
--By Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., would require the federal government to accept responsibility for criminal aliens either by reimbursing states or putting the aliens in federal prisons.
--By Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., would cut legal immigration from the current 1 million people a year to 325,000.
I can't believe that this makes me nostalgic.
The answer to USofA's illegal imigration problem lies in Mexico and the Presidential election to be held there very soon. The present Mexican administration is raising the standard of living for Mexicans through capitalism. If they loose the next election, "katie bar the door"!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.