The Internet is wonderful! VDARE.COM readers who know the truth about the disastrous 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act illegal alien amnesty program (IRCA) have been responding to my three recent postings on new evidence of massive fraud:
And what is slowly coming into focus—even from only two weeks of e-mails—is chilling.
There is, needless to say, no definitive survey of the amount of fraud committed the last time Congress tried this foolishness. But even former Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner Doris Meissner acknowledged "the commonly held view at the institution" that the 1986 illegal alien amnesty program was rife with fraud.
A VDARE.COM reader who used to work in the belly of the INS beast helps set the record straight:
"Fraud has always been the name of the game. As a Special Agent, the aggravation was very real. You mentioned A-files [on applicants' possible fraud, literally hidden beneath red covers in their official records] and confidentiality. As a federal law enforcement agent, it was difficult for me to obtain those files. I wanted to prosecute, yank legal status and deport criminal aliens. IRCA people protected the files like they were 'gold.'
"The two sides of the Immigration Service were never in accord. Admissions, adjudications [now Eduardo Aguirre's division called USCIS] is far removed from law enforcement. Most of those idiots wouldn't know a criminal if they were 'mugged.' Their approval ratings from supervisors are how fast they can stamp and certify new applicants. You're probably looking at about 75 per cent possibility of [IRCA 1986 amnesty] fraud if not more."
Another VDARE.COM reader personally witnessed rampant fraud in the SAW program for "Special"—make that "Supposed"—"Agricultural Workers." Amnesty applicants were supposed to have performed "seasonal agricultural services in the United States for at least 90 man-days, during the 12-month period ending on May 1, 1986." My correspondent reports:
"When I was a clerk, holding my nose, helping out on the loathsome Citizenship USA program, I remember reviewing [Special Agricultural Worker (SAW) amnesty] files and seeing cases like an African dermatologist who worked as same for years—then suddenly, for exactly 90 days, as a fruit picker—then back as a dermatologist. He was granted, despite a 5 fraud rating.
"It was also the same deal for an Indian motel owner who suddenly took time out to be a field hand; or a Mexican mechanic who suddenly changed careers—for exactly 90 days—to be a berry picker.
"I saw lots more files where the fraud suspicion was a 5, and then with no explanation—granted!"
On-the-spot VDARE.COM readers also say they could see at the time that the amnesty had other flaws. Thus the Seasonal Agricultural Worker amnesty was designed for farm workers. But, a reader remembers, the illegal aliens working in the fields apparently had other plans once they became legal:
"1986 IRCA laws made farm and ranch checks off limits to the U.S. Border Patrol without a warrant. Mexican agricultural workers were now given new worker permits under amnesty. Suddenly, the millions given permits who no longer wanted to work farms and agriculture could work anywhere. For example, in Arizona, 1987, thousands upon thousands of illegal Guatemalans were being smuggled into the country."
In other words, amnesty boosted illegal immigration. The Wall Street Journal will no doubt tell us that these new illegals were doing the jobs that SAW amnesty grantees won't do.
Another VDARE.COM reader pointed out on the crime brought by the 2.7 million illegal aliens who won "green cards" under the 1986 amnesty:
"There is literally an army of thousands and thousands of Mexican nationals smuggling marijuana, cocaine and aliens into the United States. They do it day and night. Around the clock. Most of the ones caught at the POE [port of entry] have green cards. Most of them got their cards through SAW."
And the stories go on and on.
The only way to find out if these reports are representative is for Congress to conduct an investigation.
I believe there are still many patriotic government employees, current and retired, who would gladly tell the truth about immigration benefit fraud if given the chance.
It is imperative that Congress hear their testimony—before it even thinks about another illegal alien amnesty.
Juan Mann [send him email] is a lawyer and the proprietor of DeportAliens.com.
