Plan for Border Merger Draws Fire

NewsMax ^ | 9-26-03 | UPI

[JustPiper]

WASHINGTON -- Plans by the new Department of Homeland Security to merge customs and immigration inspection at air and sea ports are provoking a growing chorus of criticism from unions and advocates of tougher immigration policy. "We have serious concerns," Charles Showalter of the National Immigration and Naturalization Service Council told United Press International about the merger.

The INS Council is a labor union that represents 17,500 officials who do immigration, customs and agriculture inspections at the nation's hundreds of ports of entry. Now that the INS has been rolled into the new Department of Homeland Security, its members work for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced an ambitious plan to merge the three services that currently deal with incoming travelers at U.S. ports and airports, declaring that there would be "one face at the border."

"We're improving efficiency and effectiveness," said Dennis Murphy, a department spokesman.

But Showalter says the merger will dilute the skills of the three distinct services, and advocates of a tougher immigration policy say the reorganization is likely to erode the ability of officials at the border to weed out undesirables trying to enter the country.

"If anything suffers," Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies told UPI, "it will be immigration, rather than customs."

He said that a "conflicted and ambivalent immigration policy (which comes) right from the very top" of the Bush administration made it "difficult for immigration officers to do their job."

He added that the immigration service had been effectively "transferred into" customs, given that Robert Bonner, the head of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, was formerly the head of the customs service.

'Clear Lead From the Top'

Krikorian said he was unsure how the reforms would pan out. "A lot depends on the training," he said, adding that the most important thing was a clear lead from the top.

"If this change empowers officers to do their jobs, that will be a good thing. At the moment, if they try to do their jobs, they get into hot water: 'You're holding the line up, there's another flight coming in,' or 'You're denying entry to someone granted a visa by the state department, they know better than you.'"

Showalter says that the 71 days of basic training that officers of the new merged service will get is inadequate.

"If it takes six months to train a customs officer and six months to train an immigration inspector and six months to train an agricultural inspector, how can it take less than three months to train someone to do all three jobs?"

But Murphy said that experience at land borders -- where the initial or "primary" customs and immigrations inspections had been carried out by a single officer for more than a dozen years -- belied that suggestion.

He said there would be on-the-job training and that those with experience in particular fields would continue to carry out the more rigorous "secondary" inspections for those about whom there are doubts.

"Their expertise isn't being lost, it's being leveraged," he concluded.

Showalter said that the reorganization would remove a layer of scrutiny from arriving passengers. He contrasted the approach with the attitude to aviation security, which relies of layers -- passenger and baggage screening at the gate, armed marshals on the flight, and hardened cockpit doors as a last resort.

"If it's a good idea to have multiple layers in aviation security, why not at the border?" he said, adding that the merger would remove an important safety net.

But Murphy countered that the department had "added a very important layer --prescreening of passengers."

"We know before they even land who the people are that we're interested in," he said.

[JustPiper]

from unions and advocates of tougher immigration policy. "We have serious concerns," Charles Showalter of the National Immigration and Naturalization Service Council told United Press International about the merger.

[chicagolady]

Just Piper, I can see this subject is keeping you up at night!

This immigration issue has got to be an issue voters bring up in the Illinois Senate Race and the upcoming Presidential race ...we have got to push it to the forefront.

It is getting to be a broken record The "will of the people" is totally being ignored.

[JustPiper]

Ya kn ow CL, I just want to fight to leave a better place for my kids/grandkids. On the Hilliary issue my two teens know what to do in a few years -smiles- but I thank you for noticing this issue 'is' eating away at me. My husband said I'm obsessed, ok -g- But I am pacing myself, you of all folx, know my situation and I want to do one thing good to leave a mark when folx remember me ya know? -nudge- I know you do!

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[raybbr]

September 24, 2003 Dear Raymond: Thank you for contacting me in regards to H.R. 2671, the "Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2003." (CLEAR) I appreciate your taking the time to share your views. As you know, the CLEAR Act, introduced by Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA), would authorize state and local law enforcement officers to investigate, apprehend, detain, and remove aliens from the country as part of their normal law enforcement duties. In short, the bill would grant state and local officials the power to enforce the federal immigration laws of the United States. Rest assured that I share your alarm at the number of violent crimes that have been committed by illegal aliens who are residing within our country. While I am grateful for the many valuable contributions that immigrants from all nations have made to our country over the years, I strongly believe that those who are here illegally and who commit violent crimes must be deported. This measure has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee where it has not yet received a hearing. Should it reach the floor of the House for a vote, rest assured that I will support this legislation Thanks again for contacting my office. Your comments help me to better serve you and all the people of eastern Connecticut. Should you have any further questions or comments regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Also feel free to visit my website at www.house.gov/simmons. All the best, Rob Simmons Member of Congress Second Distict, Connecticut It appears we have one supporter here in Ct.

[chicagolady]

FOR YOUR INFO LOOK WHAT HOWARD DEAN IS SUPPORTING! GO TO HIS WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS


Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

Across the country, from September 20th through October 4th, the historic Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride (IWFR) is taking place. Inspired by the 1960's Civil Rights Freedom Riders, the IWFR is involving hundreds of thousands of Americans in addressing the rights and liberties of immigrant workers throughout America. Both as a part of the massive September 20th Dean Visibility Day and on until October 4th, Dean supporters in every part of the country are getting involved with Freedom Riders. As Dean supporters, let's show our support for the IWFR and get immigrant workers involved in Howard Dean's defeat of George Bush!!

IWFR buses, full of participants, are starting from nine kick-off points throughout the country, ranging from the Pacific Northwest to the Deep South to New England and everywhere in between, and converging in New York City. They will make over 100 stops for rallies and demonstrations. Join them when they stop near you!! Go meet the Freedom Riders at stops near you. Below is a list of Dean outreach events at IWFR events. Show up with you Dean shirt or button, pass out flyers for Dean, and cheer long and loud for immigrant workers rights!

"America is an immigrant nation. As President, I will recognize and respect the vital role immigrants have played in building the American community."

[DH]

"I strongly believe that those who are here illegally and who commit violent crimes must be deported."

Notice the phrase "here illegally AND who commit violent crimes must be deported."

This guy is slick. What he is saying is leave all illegial aliens alone EXCEPT those who commit crimes......ONLY VIOLENT CRIMES!!!!!!!!

Notice, they never say deport them ALL!

[FITZ]

What he is saying is leave all illegial aliens alone EXCEPT those who commit crimes......ONLY VIOLENT CRIMES!!!!!!!!

Yes --- he thinks he's slick. He wants those committing document fraud left alone --- that's a non-violent felony crime --- sometimes --- it depends on how they obtain the documents. He wants the illegals committing welfare fraud, Medicaid fraud, DWI's, shoplifting and all the rest given a free pass. And murderers and rapists should be given the death penalty --- if you deport them, they'll come right back.

[4Freedom]

BTTT!

[JustPiper]

Thanx for this CL! Will post it on today's threads!

[JustPiper]

Make sure you call him Ray and tell him the Feds are breaking the law by letting that bus go in Texas today!

[JustPiper]

As President, I will recognize and respect the vital role immigrants have played in building the American community."

Immigrants that played a strong role did it Legally President Bush! They weren't out to harm this country or take it over! They knew it was a gift and worked hard for this country. They NEVER expected we 'owed' them anything as the illgelas do in Mexico!!!