Former INS Chief Harold Ezell Battling Liver Cancer

Harold W. Ezell, the flamboyant former immigration official who helped write Proposition 187 and became its public point man, is battling liver cancer and has been severely weakened by two months of chemotherapy.

Tumors were discovered in Ezell’s liver two months ago during a doctor’s visit for what had appeared to be a prolonged bout with the flu, said Ezell, 61.

Since then, the famously outspoken advocate for tougher immigration control has limited his public appearances and his work schedule at the Ezell Group in Newport Beach.

Ezell, who served as western chief of the Immigration and Naturalization Service under Presidents Reagan and Bush, later helped write Proposition 187, the controversial initiative to limit public services, such as education and health care, to illegal immigrants. The initiative passed in 1994 but was ruled unconstitutional.

At the same time, Ezell built a thriving consulting business that helped wealthy foreigners take advantage of an immigration law that eased restrictions on the condition they would create U.S. jobs. That business, and a more recent business interest in private prison construction, are temporarily being handled by associates, he said.

Ezell met briefly Thursday afternoon with about 50 friends and immigration service colleagues who gathered at his office to show support. Gaunt and exhausted, Ezell was uncharacteristically quiet as he sat on a couch and greeted a stream of well-wishers, including several high school baseball teammates.

“This is something that always happens to somebody else and not to you,” Ezell said in a near whisper. “I’ll tell you, if you don’t have faith, you don’t have a chance.”

A letter from Ezell thanking those at the open house had warned, “This may be the last time I’ll be in public for a while.”

However, Ezell, with wife Lee at his side, said he is optimistic. He said doctors this week told him the tumors’ growth had been arrested.

“He’s paid a high price for this chemotherapy, but we’re so encouraged that it’s doing its job,” said Lee Ezell. “Now we’re on to phase two. They’re going to go after those tumors and shrink them.”

Others, including Ezell’s brother, Don, were more guarded. “He’s a fighter, but the prognosis isn’t good,” said the younger Ezell.

A minister’s son who grew up in Wilmington, Ezell helped implement the 1986 amnesty program, that granted legal residency to nearly 3 million illegal immigrants, during his stint with the INS.

The lifelong Republican has rarely held back an opinion, whether warning of alleged voter fraud or promoting the televangelist Benny Hinn, on whose board he briefly served. His strident stands have earned him loyal admirers as well as detractors who have accused him of promoting divisiveness and racism.