[DoughtyOne]

While I am sympathetic to your mention of ineptitude at the INS, I think it's very important that we recognize that our government provides too few resources and basicly ties the INS' hands even to the point of allowing them to come under fire without providing attitional aide or putting an end to illegal immigration once and for all. I'm plenty willing to damn the INS where they have made mistakes, but some of their workers are as disturbed by this situation as the rest of us are, and are very frustrated themselves.

I believe there's a Harry Truman aspect to this that supercedes the INS shortcomings. Until the top gives a hoot about this, the INS will be incapable of resolving the issue. The "buck" is sitting on George Bush's desk.

[hattend]

I will spread the my ineptitude statement around. Everybody is guilty... INS, Justice, Executive, states.

Malkin gives an example in her book where INS, sheriffs, police, etc will round up illegals overstaying their visas and then have INS/judges release them on a promise to appear at a deportation hearing. They then disappear again into the population.

That is ridiculous. Either hold them for the hearings or deport immediately. Why do they need a hearing if their visa has expired?

I'm only 2 chapters into her book and I roll my eyes every time I turn a page. The book needs to be sent to every representative at state and federal level (although I am willing to bet it would never get read.)

You're right. Bush needs to make a policy decision on halting illegal immigration. I won't hold my breath though since he is leaning more toward amnesty than closing the borders.