Roybal-Allard Meets with INS Commissioner and
Launches Investigation into INS Involvement in LAPD Scandle

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard met today with Doris Meissner, Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), to discuss an investigation into allegations that INS officers may have improperly colluded with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to unjustly deport immigrants.

"I met with the Commissioner of the INS today because I am deeply disturbed by charges that the INS may have overstepped its bounds of authority and colluded with LAPD officers to wrongly target and deport Hispanic immigrants," said Roybal-Allard. "The INS assured me that there will be a full internal investigation of these charges. Commissioner Meissner informed me that two INS investigators have already been sent to Los Angeles."

The INS will deliver a preliminary report to Congresswoman Robyal-Allard in three weeks on the status of the internal investigation.

"The INS has pledged to me that they will expand the investigation to other cities and states if there is evidence of criminal wrong-doing in Los Angeles," said Roybal-Allard. "Should these allegations be proven, the INS is prepared to look at this problem on a national level and determine if similar abuses are occurring in other parts of the country."

In addition to the internal investigation at the INS, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is calling for an independent investigation.

"I am commissioning the General Accounting Office to begin an independent, neutral investigation of the allegations concerning the INS and the FBI's supposed collusion with the LAPD," said Roybal-Allard. "It will examine whether or not immigrants were illegally targeted for prosecution and deportation. This is a very important civil rights issue and I am determined to get the facts."

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Congresswoman Roybal-Allard
Washington, D.C., Office: 2330 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone: (202) 225-1766. Fax: (202) 226-0350.
District Office: 255 E. Temple St., Ste. 1860, Los Angeles, CA 90012-3334. Phone: (213) 628-9230. Fax: (213) 628-8578.