Summary

This testimony focuses on the enforcement problems confronting the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) concerning illegal aliens, including the administration's June 1993 plan to combat alien smuggling by organized crime syndicates. GAO notes that as long as political unrest and economic hardship beset much of the world, millions of people will try to flee to the United States. Many immigration issues are, for the most part, beyond the direct control of INS. INS' task is further compounded by a lack of consensus on the part of both Congress and the American people concerning immigration policy and its enforcement. Further, INS has limited resources with which to stem the flow of illegal aliens. For example, it cannot detain most of those aliens whom it believes should be denied entry or pursue those aliens living here illegally.