INS Beefs Up Staff at Houston Amnesty Center After Near-Riot

Federal officials Wednesday sent additional staff members to one of the nation’s busiest amnesty centers in an attempt to placate aliens who had staged a near-riot when told their applications would not be processed.

More than 300 aliens, some of whom had waited outside the center as long as three days, began pounding on windows and chanting Tuesday morning after they were told their applications for legalization would not be considered that day, a spokesman for the Immigration and Naturalization Service said.

“There was quite a mob. It was wild. It looked like a real riot was going to form,” said immigration lawyer J. C. Molina, who had gone with two clients to the center.

Houston INS Director Ronald Parra stood atop a trash container and addressed the protesters with a bullhorn.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be crucified or shot when I got up there,” Parra said. “With all the children and senior citizens there, someone could have been injured.”

About 25 police officers were summoned to quiet Tuesday’s uproar. After about 200 of the protesters had departed, officials decided to admit the 100 to 150 people remaining outside, and all were taken care of Tuesday, INS spokesman Richard Rios said.

Some of the aliens said they feared they would lose their jobs if they were unable to apply for amnesty by Sept. 1, immigration workers said.

Starting on that date, employers may be fined for employing illegal aliens.

“There’s a lot of desperation because people are getting pressure from their employers,” said Janet Pena, administrator of the Catholic Charities immigration assistance program.

INS Regional Commissioner Stephen Martin approved overtime pay and more staffing for the center after hearing of the near-riot, Rios said.