Reform INS First

ATLANTA/WASHINGTON, DC: The Southeastern Legal Foundation today continues its public policy campaign against blanket amnesty or legalization for millions of illegal aliens, calling on President Bush to "avoid the trap" of Mexican President Vicente Fox's public statement yesterday urging resolution of the illegal immigration question within the year.

"As we have urged for the past several weeks on television, radio, in print and through direct mail -- President Bush, please reform and upgrade the Immigration & Naturalization Service as promised before the U.S. agrees to any special legalization for illegals now within our borders," said Phil Kent, SLF President.

Kent revealed this week that SLF is working with members of Congress to develop legislation banning states from issuing driver's licenses to illegals. Four states, including North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Utah, are currently issuing licenses to illegals, and several states are now considering such legislation.

"Even open borders advocates admit that the past two amnesties in the late '80s and early '90s were abject failures," said Kent. "The crushing cost to American taxpayers for welfare and social services for illegals, and the clear and present danger from the fact that illegals who receive amnesty never receive a criminal background check like their legal immigrant counterparts, are compelling reasons to move with caution and enforce the rule of law."

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