I am disappointed with Commissioner Ziglar’s proposed plan to reorganize the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

This proposal is off the mark. Congress should not take seriously a proposal that calls for $100 million and 500 new positions but does nothing to address the resources the agency needs to conduct its basic mission, especially in light of September 11. Thousands of INS employees are working overtime on the borders and in service centers to ensure that our country is secure. The INS needs to reorder its priorities. These 500 proposed new positions should be for protecting our borders, especially the Northern Border, and reducing backlogs at the service centers.

I was also disappointed that Commissioner Ziglar has proposed closing the Regional Office in South Burlington. The Vermonters who work in that office are among the finest in the agency. I would hate to see the INS eliminate that office before thinking through such a drastic decision.

It is unfortunate that after only 3 months on the job, Commissioner Ziglar is unilaterally making plans to reorganize the INS. I made sure that the anti-terrorism legislation, the USA PATRIOT Act, which recently became law, improved our security by tripling the number of Border Patrol officers and INS Inspectors on the Northern Border. It is discouraging to think that these improvements will be put on hold while the INS plans to reorganize.