The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“BARBARA JORDAN IMMIGRATION REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2002” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E679 on May 2, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
BARBARA JORDAN IMMIGRATION REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2002
______
speech of
HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN
of rhode island
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3231 and encourage my colleagues to vote for this important bipartisan measure to reform our Nation's immigration system.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service, created in 1933 to consolidate immigration, border control, and naturalization functions in various departments, has been plagued for years by bureaucratic inefficiency, wasteful practices, and an unclear mission. At first, Congress responded to the problem by increasing funding for the agency, quadrupling its budget from $1.4 billion to $5.6 billion between fiscal years 1992 and 2002. Despite the infusion of resources, the INS reported an increase in its backlog of visa and immigration-related applications.
Though a commission chaired by former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan recommended in 1997 that the INS be dismantled, Congress still did not take the drastic action necessary to fix the problems of an agency that had become for many Americans the stereotype of Federal bureaucracy. However, when the INS sent student visa confirmations for two of the September 11 terrorists--six months after their attacks on America--the subsequent public outrage expedited much-needed reform. I commend Chairman Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member Conyers for their cooperation in crafting a common-sense bipartisan measure that will address many of the INS's existing problems. The separation of the INS into the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Bureau of Immigration Enforcement will prevent the type of mission conflict that plagues the current agency. I also approve of the creation of an Associate Attorney General to oversee the functions of these two bureaus and to emphasize the importance of immigration matters within the Justice Department.
However, I would be remiss if I did not express the concerns of some of my constituents, who fear that splitting a bureaucracy into two only creates two bureaucracies. I have to laugh as I am reminded of the perils of Hercules as he tried to slay Hydra, the nine-headed snake, which grew two heads for every one that was chopped off. Instead, we must strike at the heart of our current problem, and I believe that H.R. 3231 will effectively accomplish this goal. I will be carefully monitoring the implementation of INS reform to see that the new bureaus are efficient, responsive and focused in their mission.
____________________
