The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will receive additional funding and personnel for 1997 when President Clinton signs a bill now being reviewed by Congress. A version of the bill passed in the Senate differed little from the House's version. These differences should be resolved quickly in joint conference. Clinton wishes to sign it and said, "I urge the Congress to move quickly to finalize and send me this key legislation."
The senate bill is designed to curb illegal immigration and increase resources for the INS. Although the bill does not address penalties for employers of illegal immigrants, the bill will add 4,700 border patrol agents over the next five years and 1,200 INS investigators over the next three years. The bill also increases the penalties for alien smuggling and harboring illegal aliens. In addition, it would develop national standards for drivers' licensees and birth certificates, making fraud more difficult and help INS officials crack down on fraudulent documents. The bill would also outlaw female genital mutilation, making it easier for females to obtain political asylum and starts a pilot program to use closed military bases as INS detention centers. Furthemore, plans call for the erection of a 14 mile triple fence near San Diego to discourage illegal crossings, and deny health and welfare benefits to certain legal immigrants, shifting the burden to the family member(s) who sponsored them.