Former INS Official Fights Cancer

Harold W. Ezell, the flamboyant former immigration official who became a leading opponent of illegal immigration while running a consulting business for wealthy immigrants, is battling liver cancer and has been severely weakened by two months of chemotherapy.

Tumors were discovered in his liver two months ago during a doctor’s visit for what had seemed like a prolonged bout of flu, said Ezell, 61.

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

He met briefly Thursday afternoon with about 50 friends and Immigration and Naturalization Service colleagues who gathered at his office to show support. Gaunt and exhausted, with most of his hair gone, 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 said, “This may be the last time I’ll be in public for a while.”

However, Ezell, with his wife, Lee, at his side, said he is optimistic. He said doctors this week told him the growth of the tumors has 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,” the younger Ezell said.

Ezell served as western chief of the INS under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush and helped implement the 1986 amnesty program that granted legal residency to nearly 3 million illegal immigrants.

Ezell later became an advocate for tougher border control and helped write Proposition 187, the initiative to limit public services such as education and health care to illegal immigrants. The proposition passed in 1994 but has been held up in the courts.

At the same time, Ezell built a thriving consulting business that helps wealthy foreigners immigrate on the condition they create U.S. jobs. That business, and a more recent business interest in private prison construction, are temporarily being handled by associates, he said.

Gregarious and outspoken, 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. Ezell’s strident stands have earned him loyal admirers as well as detractors who have accused him of promoting divisiveness and racism.