NCJ Number
104973
Date Published
1986
Length
240 pages
Annotation
This book examines why the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which is charged with enforcing immigration law, has experienced increasing difficulty in coping with illegal immigration.
Abstract
A review of historical trends in INS' enforcement of immigration laws indicates that political pressures, resource constraints, and judicial rulings began to undermine INS enforcement efforts during the 1970's and 1980's. Congress' unwillingness to increase INS funding during this period reflected the broader public's ambivalence toward illegal immigration. Although Americans support tougher enforcement of immigration law, many sympathize with the plight of individual aliens they know or have heard about. This book examines the differing operational styles and objectives of the INS border patrol and investigations branch, including the border patrol's farm and ranch check operations. An indepth examination of the interior enforcement activities of the investigation branch encompasses area control in the cities, case investigations, and fraud investigations. The discussion identifies the complex policy dilemmas facing the INS and the adjustments INS officers have made to political pressures and resource constraints. A review of policy remedies in recent proposals for new Federal legislation argues that the use of civil and criminal sanctions against U.S. employers who knowingly use illegal alien labor is unlikely to control illegal immigration. The book's proposed remedy is a generous guest worker program that allows aliens to work in certain low-wage industries after paying an annual fee. Chapter notes and subject index.