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Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren


16th District of California


635 N. First St., Suite B, San Jose, CA 95112, 408-271-8700
318 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-3072

For Immediate Release


February 25, 2000

CONTACTS: John Flannery & Sue Ramanthan - (408) 271-8700, (202) 225-3072

Bay Area Congressional Delegation Studies Chronic Delays at Immigration Agency

Residents and High-Tech Representatives testify to INS delays and mismanagement at Congressional Field Hearing

SAN JOSE, CA -- In the wake of unproductive meetings and continued complaints of long lines, lost files, and poor service from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman Sam Farr invited the INS to a congressional field hearing to respond to reports of delay and mismanagement at INS offices that deal with Bay Area residents.

Congresswoman Lofgren's opening statement at the hearing is attached for your information.

Members of Congress attended the field hearing to hear testimony from INS officials and those aggrieved. Constituents including hi-tech superstar Linus Torvalds told of the hardships they suffered as a result of INS delays and mismanagement. Hi-tech community reps including Sun and TekEdge Corporations, local elected officials and representatives from such immigrant-advocacy groups as Catholic Charities, Northern California Immigrant Rights Coalition, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, also testified as to the problem and potential solutions.

Bay Area Congressional Delegation Studies Chronic Delays at Immigration Agency

Statement of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren

Statement of Rep. Anna Eshoo

Statement of Jennifer Dineen-Ocon

Statement of Linus Torvalds

Statement of Jim Beall

Statement of Warren Leiden

Statement of Sunil Vatave

Statement of Deborah Kessler

Statement of Sister Marilyn Lacey

Statement of Heidi Wilson

Statement of John Barey

Statement of Jacob and Yetta Bromley

Statement of Debra Jaramillo-Coker

Statement of George Windsor Jones

Statement of Le Kim Ngo


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