Ezell Has Done ‘Excellent’ Job, Leader of INS Says

Harold Ezell “makes comments that are not appropriate at times,” but he has done an “excellent” job as the top immigration official in the Western states, INS Commissioner Alan C. Nelson said Friday.

In response to recent calls for Ezell’s firing by critics who have labeled some of his comments as racist, Nelson said in an interview with The Times on Friday that he has “absolutely no intention of making efforts to remove (Ezell) and I don’t think anyone in the Justice Department or the White House” does either.

And, referring to criticism stirred by his announcement to Congress this week of new INS guidelines allowing some children--but not the spouses of amnesty-eligible immigrants--to remain in the country, Nelson said the INS will not budge.

Nelson contended that the federal agency’s critics would like to expand the law’s amnesty provisions while cutting back on its enforcement measures for curbing illegal immigration.

‘Congress Has Acted’

“They need to be realistic,” he added. “Congress has acted. The President has acted. And the American public supports” the more limited interpretation.

Meanwhile, at a morning press conference, two Los Angeles City Council members added their voices to those of other critics of the new INS guidelines.

Councilwoman Gloria Molina said that President Reagan is a great promoter of the family as the core of society, yet promotes an immigration policy “destructive to families.”

Councilman Richard Alatorre called the INS policy “ridiculous and unfeeling” and “the most monstrous form of divide and conquer.”

‘Anti-Immigrant’ Comments

Critics of Ezell, the outspoken Immigration and Naturalization Service commissioner for the Western region, have called for his ouster in recent weeks because of what they call his “anti-immigrant” comments and policies.

Last summer, a San Francisco newspaper said Ezell “once suggested that some illegal immigrants should be ‘skinned and fried’ and then deported.” The original comment--made two years ago--was made in reference to fraudulent documents traffickers, according to INS officials.