Gallegly Urges Probe of INS Miami Facility

At the urging of Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley), the House of Representatives may launch an investigation next month into whether Immigration and Naturalization Service managers attempted to deceive Gallegly and other lawmakers during an official visit to INS facilities in Miami last year.

Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House subcommittee on immigration and claims, wrote a letter to Atty. Gen. Janet Reno on Monday saying he intends to hold hearings on the matter in coming weeks.

INS officials have been accused of moving illegal immigrants out of holding cells and boosting staffing in advance of the June 10 congressional visit while instructing agents not to wear their weapons to present a “kinder, gentler image” while lawmakers were around.

The Justice Department’s inspector general launched an investigation into the allegations last year but has not yet issued a report. Upset by the delay, Gallegly has been pushing for congressional hearings.

Gallegly arranged the visit to Miami as chairman of House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s immigration task force. Not long after he returned, Gallegly received a letter from nearly 50 INS workers, alleging that their bosses attempted to deceive the visiting delegation by temporarily improving conditions.