Latino Leaders Call for Ouster of Key INS Official

A group of Orange County Latino leaders, opposed to a new program using federal computers to screen illegal aliens from public assistance, called Tuesday for the dismissal of Harold Ezell, the top West Coast immigration official.

Amin David, a Mexican-born businessman from Anaheim, said he intends to begin a mail campaign against Ezell, who was characterized by David as “abundantly unqualified” for the job of western regional commissioner for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Latino leaders also noted Ezell’s 11 years spent as an executive with Wienerschnitzel International Inc., a hot dog and hamburger fast-food chain, calling it improper preparation for such an “awesome” position.

Letter Sent to INS

“I’m sending a letter to (INS Commissioner) Alan Nelson and the U.S. attorney general asking for Ezell’s removal,” David said during a Santa Ana news conference Tuesday called by five civil rights and Latino-oriented groups. David said the Hispanic Congressional Caucus would also be asked for support.

“His background has been putting hot dogs together at Wienerschnitzel,” David continued, “and here, they (the Reagan Administration) have picked him out to do this awesome work.”

John Belluardo, INS spokesman at the regional office in San Pedro, considered Tuesday’s criticism unfair and misguided.

“It’s unfortunate that these groups have resorted to personal attacks when the individual involved is essentially doing his duty, and that is to enforce the immigration laws,” Belluardo said.

Belluardo suggested that Latino leaders divert their energy to help change immigration laws “rather than casting aspersions on an individual’s character.”

Ezell was en route to Washington and could not be reached for comment.

Orange County Social Services Agency officials rejected an accusation made at the conference that the county had initiated a “racist” policy using immigrants as the scapegoats.

Although Leaman declined to be interviewed on the subject, Dick Ruiz, financial assistance director for the county’s Social Services Agency, denied that accusation.

“I am of Mexican descent and was born in Mexico,” Ruiz said, “and I would be the strongest opponent of any racist tendencies.”

Ruiz said that he and Leaman plan to attend a round table discussion with Latino leaders scheduled May 29 to explain the county’s role.

The system, known as SAVE, for Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, allows county clerks to access an INS computer in Santa Ana. The system is designed to detect users of counterfeit green cards or other fraudulent immigration documents. Under the agreement, those persons suspected of using false documents will be asked to meet with the INS.

Immigration and county officials, optimistic about the system, have predicted it can save $3 million a year in public assistance by screening illegal alien applicants.

“People seem to forget that in order for a person to be able to receive public assistance, they have to be a U.S. citizen or have a right to remain in the United States,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz added that the agency is legally required to counteract any fraud or it can face stiff penalties. “I cannot escape my obligation,” he said.

Praised by Some

As regional commissioner, Ezell has stepped up the profile of the INS in recent years. He has drawn praise from many immigration hard-liners and, at the same time, evoked scorn from those who hold opposing views.

Sister Armida Deck, recently named head of the Hispanic Ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, said that Ezell, since he took the job in March, 1983, has “inflated” immigration figures, falsely creating “a sense of Latino invasion in Southern California.”

Sister Deck said that at a recent news conference to kick off Orange County’s new system, Ezell said that in Orange County, an estimated 400,000 people, roughly 20% of the county’s 2 million residents, are believed to be illegal residents.

“At best,” said Sister Deck, “100,000 to 150,000 is more realistic.”

The concern, the leaders said, is that this practice tends to heighten a “sense of invasion” and justify increased activity by the INS.

Another Ezell critic, Isaac Cardenas, a Chicano studies professor at Cal State Fullerton, attacked INS statistics that report apprehensions. Rather than base the figure on the number of people caught, INS uses the number of apprehensions, although the same person may be apprehended repeatedly during any reporting period.

‘Fear and Hysteria’ Campaign

“Without identifying repeat arrestees, then the number becomes useless for analytical purposes,” said Cardenas.

“I raise these examples to show that Mr. Ezell’s campaign apparently is based on creating fear and hysteria through manipulation of statistics, which in my opinion is a disservice to the community at large.

“The myth that is being perpetuated by Mr. Ezell serves to confuse and complicate the issue. The debate on immigration must be rational and based on facts. Anything less results in an injustice to immigrants, the American public and fuels the fires of racism and xenophobia,” Cardenas said.

The leaders said they will meet with county welfare officials at the end of the month to ask that the computerized program be discontinued and that, instead, a policy of “non-cooperation with INS” be adopted.