Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee

HEADLINE: HEARING OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
 
SUBJECT: NOMINATION OF EDUARDO AGUIRRE TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

BODY:
SEN. CHAMBLISS: I now turn to the chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of this committee, Senator Grassley.

SEN. CHARLES GRASSLEY (R-IA): I'll be with you just a short period of time because of a hearing I have on prescription drugs. But I do want to take opportunity to congratulate Mr. Aguirre as well as expressing some concerns, as president -- or as Senator Kennedy did about the issues of immigration.

Every member of this panel is concerned about the services that we provide new residents of our United States. We strive to welcome immigrants in a timely and efficient manner. We are frustrated, of course, by reports of backlogs and mistreatment. We have pressured the old Immigration and Naturalization Service for reforms, and we'll continue to monitor the new bureau's ability to serve newcomers.

Today I want to express my strong belief that superior attention to customer service is necessary despite the bureau's mission and functions under a new department. I would encourage the department and the bureau to bring enthusiasm and dedication to the duty of providing quality service to our country's newcomers. The bureau must be acutely aware of the demands facing our nation's newcomers. Such demands necessitate the highest standard of customer service and professionalism.

First, I would commend the service for making individual case statuses available online and allowing the public another avenue to learn about their applications. I know that improvements to this electronic system will come, and I will continue to support new efforts to assist the department's clients.

Second, complaints about the bureau's employees have been passed along to me that I find unacceptable. For example, some employees find it acceptable to threaten those who are subject to our confusing laws, and obviously new laws to new people coming to this country. I hope that the new administrator will appropriately investigate and address these issues and any others where the conduct of the new bureau's employees is called into question.

Before closing, I would like to mention that I have been working to obtain more service personnel in the eastern part of my state of Iowa.

Last year, I wrote to Attorney General Ashcroft, and this year, I have written then to the new person of responsibility, Secretary Ridge, to request that additional Immigration employees be placed in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois area, where they've seen such an increase in immigrants. I'm glad that your bureau has responded by announcing Immigration Service hours being held in Davenport, Iowa, on June 24th; however, this first step must not be the last.

Mr. Aguirre, you have had experience in shaping organizations, leading hundreds of employees and managing millions of dollars. I hope that your expertise will help the Bureau of Citizenship and the Immigration Service to get off on the right foot, and I welcome you, as I'm sure you welcome that challenge. And we obviously wish you all well in your new job, not only to you personally, but to the service that you bring to our new immigrants to this country.

Thank you very much.

SEN. CHAMBLISS: Thank you, Senator. And you've been a busy man the last few weeks, and we appreciate all the great work you've been doing; all the positive legislation you've been shepherding through a great institution.

SEN. GRASSLEY: You keep talking that way, I'll stay -- (off mike). (Laughter.)

SEN. LEAHY: (Off mike) -- too many people waiting in the hall for you -- (inaudible) -- not here. (Laughter.)