INS Seeks $82M to Bust Backlog

DAILY BRIEFING

INS Seeks $82M to Bust Backlog

Immigration and Naturalization Service officials say they need $82 million to reduce a backlog of 1.5 million immigrants who have waited months and sometimes years to become citizens, according to an Associated Press report.

The $82 million request would be in addition to the money that would be raised by a proposal to increase citizenship application fees from $95 to $225, James Angus, acting executive director of the INS' naturalization operations, told a House panel Thursday.

The money would be used to add about 290 people to the INS staff.

If the agency is granted the money by July, the wait to become a legal citizen would be reduced to about six months. If not, the wait time in 1999 would amount to about 10 months to 12 months, Angus told the House Judiciary immigration subcommittee.

Subcommittee chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said he would support the funding increase. Angus said it was not included in President Clinton's proposed budget for next year.

"I really think this is a litmus test for the administration. If they are serious about reducing the wait, they will in fact request that additional $82 million," said Smith. "That would be an indication, I would think, of their credibility on the subject and their sincerity."

In an effort to improve the agency, which is often criticized for poor management, Congress boosted its budget from $1.6 billion in 1994 to $3.8 billion this year. INS is requesting $4.2 billion for 1999.