Zoe Lofgren: “I submit the following letter: Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, November 4, 1999. Embargoed for release…”

“I submit the following letter: Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, November 4, 1999. Embargoed for release Monday, November 8, 1999. Contact: Allen Kay, Rep. Lamar Smith. Re Guidelines for use of prosecutorial discretion in removal proceedings. Hon. Janet Reno, Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Hon. Doris M. Meissner, Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Washington, DC. Dear Attorney General Reno and Commissioner Meissner: Congress and the Administration have devoted substantial attention and resources to the difficult yet essential task of removing criminal aliens from the United States. Legislative reforms enacted in 1996, accompanied by increased funding, enabled the Immigration and Naturalization Service to remove increasing numbers of criminal aliens, greatly benefitting public safety in the United States. However, cases of apparent extent hardship have caused concerns Some cases may involve removal proceedings against legal permanent residents who came to the United States when they were very young, and many years ago committed a single crime at the lower end of the ``aggravated felony'' spectrum, but have been law-abiding ever since, obtained and held jobs and remained self-sufficient, and started families in the United States. Although they did not become United States citizens, immediate family members are citizens.…”