Immigration Rule Alarms Senators

Lawmakers representing states bordering Canada voiced alarm over an immigration provision they fear could lead to a border traffic nightmare. They said last year’s immigration reform law will force the Immigration and Naturalization Service to start checking everyone entering and leaving the United States next fall. “It is generating waves of controversy at our borders,” said Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), chairman of the Judiciary immigration subcommittee. Abraham has introduced a bill that would block the provision of the 1996 immigration law that directs the INS to start keeping records in October 1998 of “aliens” departing and arriving in the United States.