U.S. immigration director outlines how bill could affect his agency

Published: 2006-06-01

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The director of the federal agency that oversees immigration told reporters that if applicants for any future legalization program are rejected for noncriminal reasons, "it isn't my plan" to turn over their information to other agencies for prosecution. At a round table for reporters May 31, Emilio Gonzalez, director of Citizenship and Immigration Services, known as CIS, outlined his efforts to be ready for major new immigration programs that could come out of legislation in the works in Congress if the measure becomes law. The agency could be managing a new guest worker system, and handling legalization for agricultural workers, for students whose parents brought them to the country as minors as well as for millions of others who are in the country illegally. He also said that regardless of new mandates from Congress, many fees charged for the agency's ongoing services likely will increase to better cover costs.

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