Thomas Daschle: “I fully support Senator Harkin's amendment to require the INS to have full-time staff in every State. Currently, South…”

“I fully support Senator Harkin's amendment to require the INS to have full-time staff in every State. Currently, South Dakota is one of only 3 States that do not have a permanent INS presence. Although South Dakota does not have the problems with immigration faced by States like California, there has been a dramatic growth in immigration, both legal and illegal, into the State and particularly into Sioux Falls. As immigration increases, it has become necessary to step up enforcement of the immigration laws nationwide, including in South Dakota. In addition, citizens and legal residents who need help from the INS need to have an office in South Dakota to serve them. Now, they must journey to either Minnesota or Colorado. That is a huge burden on the residents of South Dakota. Senator Harkin is to be commended for addressing these problems and ensuring that South Dakota will have help from the INS to prevent illegal immigration and to facilitate the needs of legal residents and citizens.”