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Macedonia: Conflict Spillover Prevention [Updated July 23, 1998]
From the Document: "Since claiming independence from the disintegrating Yugoslav federation in late 1991, Macedonia has managed to avoid the kind of violent ethnic conflict that engulfed Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995. However, external conflicts and internal sources of instability have periodically threatened to undermine Macedonia's security and long-term viability. International policymakers have long feared that any conflict spillover into Macedonia might swiftly involve neighboring states, leading to a regional war. Protracted fighting since March 1998 in neighboring Kosovo (in Serbia) has heightened international concerns about security in the region. Current strategies intended both to address the violence in Kosovo and to enhance security in Macedonia include staging NATO air and ground exercises in Macedonia and Albania, and extending the mission of a small U.N. preventive deployment military force, including a contingent of U.S. troops, in Macedonia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kim, Julie
1998-07-23
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Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act: Hardship Relief and Long-Term Illegal Aliens [Updated July 15, 1998]
"The Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) (P.L. 105-100, title II) establishes special procedures through which hundreds of thousands of aliens in the U.S., primarily Central Americans, may seek legal permanent resident status. This report discusses who benefits from NACARA and how the relief granted to Nicaraguans and Cubans differs from that granted to Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and certain natives of former Warsaw Pact countries. The report also discusses how enactment of NACARA was prompted by restrictions contained in the Illegal Immigration and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-208, Division C). The report will be updated as implementation of NACARA progresses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eig, Larry M.
1998-07-15
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Encryption Technology: Congressional Issues [Updated July 9, 1998]
"Fundamentally, the controversy over encryption concerns what access the government should have to encrypted stored computer data or electronic communications (voice and data. wired and wireless) for law enforcement purposes. Encryption and decryption are methods of using cryptography to protect the confidentiality of data and communications. When encrypted, a message only can be understood by someone with the key to decrypt it. Businesses and consumers want strong encryption products to protect their information. while the Clinton Administration wants to ensure the law enforcement community's ability to monitor undesirable activity in the digital age. The Administration's policy promotes the use of strong encryption. here and abroad. as long as it is designed with 'key recovery' features where a 'key recovery agent' holds a 'spare key' to decrypt the information. The Administration would require key recovery agents to make the decryption key available to duly authorized federal and state government entities. Privacy advocates worry that law enforcement entities would have too much access to private information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nunno, Richard M.
1998-07-09
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Managing Secrecy: Security Classification Reform - The Government Secrecy Act Proposal [Revised July 8, 1998]
From the Document: "The end of the Cold War, heightened interest in effecting greater economy and better management in security classification operations, and the considered recommendations of a national study commission on official secrecy have all contributed to the proposed Government Secrecy Act (H.R. 1546/S. 712), introduced on a bicameral, bipartisan basis to establish, for the first time, a statutory mandate for security classification and declassification. This report follows the development and progress of this legislation and will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Relyea, Harold
1998-07-08
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Transfer of Missile and Satellite Technology to China: A Summary of H.Res. 463 Authorizing a House Select Committee [Updated June 24, 1998]
On June 18, 1998, the House voted 409-10 to create a Select Committee on U.S.
National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People's Republic of
China. The select committee will investigate, among other matters, allegations that the
Clinton Administration allowed the Chinese government to acquire sensitive missile
technology in exchange for campaign contributions, focusing on the national security
consequences of those actions. This fact sheet provides a brief summary of H.Res. 463,
which was reported by the Rules Committee (H.Rept. 105-582) on June 16. The
resolution was considered under procedures that permitted no floor amendments.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stathis, Stephen W.
1998-06-24
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Naturalization Trends, Issues, and Legislation [Updated June 24, 1998]
"Naturalization -- the process by which immigrants become U.S. citizens -- is an important function within the Immigration and Naturalization Service that is plagued by mismanagement, fraud, and huge backlogs. This report analyzes the trends in naturalization, discusses the controversies and issues, and tracks the legislative proposals to reform the naturalization process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
1998-06-24
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Iran: Arms and Technology Acquisitions [Updated June 22, 1998]
"The Clinton Administration and Congress are pressing to persuade Iran's major arms and technology suppliers, primarily Russia and China, to sever their military relations with Iran. The Administration's need to engage supplier countries on a wide range of issues often has complicated U.S. efforts to end their dealings with Iran, and has led some in Congress to demand that the Administration do more to compel supplier countries to end transfers to Iran. Both the House and the Senate have passed a bill (H.R. 2709), by overwhelming margins, imposing sanctions on foreign entities that contribute to Iran's efforts to develop ballistic missiles. The Clinton Administration has said a veto is likely; it has until June 23 to do so. This report will be updated in response to legislative and policy developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
1998-06-22
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China: Pending Legislation in the 105th Congress [Updated June 19, 1998]
"The 105 Congress has been active on issues involving China. This report, which will be updated as developments occur, tracks pending human rights legislation, including bills concerning: prison conditions and prison labor exports (H.R. 2195, H.R. 2358); coercive abortion practices (H.R. 2570); China's policies toward religion (H.R. 967, H.R. 2431); and more general human rights issues (H.R. 2095). Other bills concern Taiwan- in particular, Taiwan's entry into the World Trade Organization (H.Res. 190) and the U.S. role in helping Taiwan with a theater missile defense system (H.R. 2386). Also, legislation is pending on China's missile proliferation activities (H.Res. 188), Radio Free Asia broadcasting to China (H.R. 2232), China's participation in multilateral institutions (H.R. 1712, H.R. 2605), and the activities of China's military and intelligence services (H.R. 2647, H.R. 2190). Finally, there are also several multiple-issue bills, such as the Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 3616), the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 1757), the China Policy Act (S. 1164), and the U.S.-China Relations Act (S. 1303), which combine some, or even most, of these issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dumbaugh, Kerry
1998-06-19
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Immigration-Related Provisions of Selected Bills on Religious Persecution [Updated June 4, 1998]
"On May 14, 1998, the House passed H.R. 2431, the 'Freedom From Religious Persecution Act' by a vote of 375-41. As a result of amendments by the House Judiciary Committee, the immigration-related provisions of the House-passed bill are narrower than those in previous versions. The leading religious persecution bill in the Senate appears to be S. 1868, the 'International Religious Freedom Act.' A hearing was held on it by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 12. The asylum and training provisions of H.R. 2431 now more closely resemble those of S. 1868, but the refugee proposals in the two bills continue to differ significantly. Unlike earlier versions of H.R. 2431, the House-passed bill would not revise procedures for considering asylum claims made by aliens who allege membership in certain religious minorities. Instead, the asylum proposals now focus on enhanced training about religious persecution and on addressing potential biases and inaccuracies within the asylum process. Unlike S. 1868, however, H.R. 2431 retains provisions intended to ensure that members of persecuted religious groups are considered for admission as refugees on an equal basis with members of other groups of special humanitarian concern to the U.S. At the same time, the House-passed bill emphasizes its intent to give persecuted religious communities parity, rather than preference, in the refugee admission process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eig, Larry M.; Vialet, Joyce C.
1998-06-04
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National Missile Defense: Status of the Debate [Updated May 29, 1998]
"In recent years, the debate over National Missile Defense (NMD) has focused on how best, and how quickly, to develop and deploy a system to protect the United States against a limited ballistic missile threat- either an accidental or unauthorized launch from Russia or China or a deliberate attack from a rogue state. The Clinton Administration is pursuing what it calls a '3 plus 3' strategy- the goal is to develop NMD technology over the three years through 2000 sufficiently to allow a system to be deployed three years later, by 2003, if a decision is made to do so. If a decision to deploy is deferred, development would continue. Many missile defense advocates in Congress, however, want to set a date for deploying a nationwide defense. Key issues in the debate include how quickly rogue nations might acquire long-range missiles, whether advances in technology warrant deferring a decision to deploy, whether an initial deployment should be followed by a more extensive system, cost, and the implications of a deployment decision for the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and for negotiating further limits on strategic offensive weapons. Faced with the prospect of a Presidential veto, Congress has not set a deployment date in annual defense authorization or appropriations bills. Instead, Congress has considered freestanding bills to establish NMD policy- recently the Senate took up the American Missile Protection Act of 1998, S. 1873, but a cloture vote failed on May 13."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Daggett, Stephen
1998-05-29
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Colombia: The Problem of Illegal Narcotics and U.S. - Colombian Relations [Updated May 11, 1998]
"The United States has long been concerned with Colombia as a major producer and trafficker of the illegal narcotics entering this country: first marijuana, then cocaine, and now also heroin. Colombia's drug trafficking business has been dominated by two cartels during the two decades in which cocaine trafficking became a major activity: first the Medellin cartel, which dominated during the 1980s and then the Cali cartel, which dominated during the early 1990s. With the arrests of the major Cali cartel leaders in the mid-1990s, independent traffickers have filled the void. The rise of the cartels had significant social, political, and economic effects in Colombia. During the 1990s, U.S. officials became highly troubled by the degree to which leaders of the drug-trafficking organizations had become accepted into the mainstream of Colombian life and allegedly influenced the political system through funds passed to politicians. Bilateral relations deteriorated significantly with the inauguration to a four year term in August 1994 of President Ernesto Samper, whose campaign received funds from drug lords. Nevertheless, bilateral counternarcotics efforts continue. Substantial funding has continued through the State Department's counternarcotics program, as permitted by the decertification. In mid 1997, the Clinton Administration authorized resumed FMF and IMET funding to Colombia's security forces, and now provides assistance to the Colombian National Police, the air force and the navy. Assistance to the Colombian army may be provided once the State Department scrutinizes information from the Colombian army on the human rights records of units which would receive the aid."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
1998-05-11
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Electricity Restructuring Background: The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 [May 4, 1998]
"Electric utilities have been subject to comprehensive federal and state economic regulation since enactment of the Public Utilities Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) and the Federal Power Act. This regulatory framework remained virtually unchanged between 1935 and 1978. The oil embargoes of the 1970s created concerns about the security of the nation's electricity supply leading to enactment of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). For the first time, utilities were required to purchase power from outside sources. This first incremental change to traditional electricity regulation started a movement towards a market-oriented approach to electricity supply. Following the enactment of PURPA, two basic issues stimulated calls for further change: whether to encourage nonutility generation and whether to permit utilities to diversify into non-regulated activities. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) increased competition in the electric generating sector by creating new entities that can generate and sell electricity at wholesale without being regulated as utilities under PUHCA. PURPA began to shift more regulatory responsibilities to the federal government, and EPACT continued that shift away from the states by creating new options for utilities and regulators to meet electricity demand. As the electric utility restructuring debate evolves, additional policy issues to be addressed may include federal-state jurisdictional roles, stranded cost recovery, industry structure, and non-economic regulatory factors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Abel, Amy
1998-05-04
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Basic Federal Budgeting Terminology [April 27, 1998]
"In its most elemental form, the federal budget is a comprehensive accounting of the government's spending, revenues, and borrowing. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the basic terminology and concepts used in the federal budget process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heniff, Bill
1998-04-27
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Asian Financial Crisis: An Analysis of U.S. Foreign Policy Interests and Options [Updated April 23, 1998]
"The sharp fall in the currencies and stock markets of a number of East Asian economies since July 1997 has the potential to damage a range of U.S. regional and other foreign policy interests, in addition to the expected detrimental effects on U.S. economic growth and the trade deficit. The principal focus of this report is on the foreign policy ramifications of the Asian financial crisis and U.S. options for addressing them. Other CRS products address the economic situation in the affected countries and impact on the U.S. economy, specific issues concerning the IMF programs, and the proposed IMF quota increase and New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB.) This report tracks and analyzes the efforts of the most seriously affected Asian countries to deal with their economic and financial problems, and their interaction with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United States, and other major sources of financial support and policy advice. It also addresses the implications of the crisis for such U.S. interests as regional stability and the prevention of conflict, trade liberalization, and U.S. regional and global leadership, and discusses the principal factors that could influence the duration and severity of the crisis. A final section considers options for Congress in the context of various criticisms of the IMF's stabilization programs and the operations of the Fund itself. The report also includes a discussion of the pending FY1998 supplemental appropriations request for the IMF's New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB) and quota increase, as addressed in H.R. 3114 (authorization), H.R. 3579 (Senate-passed appropriations), and H.R. 3580 (House-reported appropriations.) The report will be updated in response to major developments or the accumulation of lesser developments that materially affect the analysis."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cronin, Richard P.
1998-04-23
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Immigration: The 'H-2A' Temporary Agricultural Worker Program [Updated April 9, 1998]
"In recent years, there have been various legislative efforts to modify or supplement the existing H-2A temporary agricultural program authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Concern has centered on making the program easier for growers to use while still maintaining protections for domestic labor. Growers have made limited use of the program in the past and a few years ago program usage was in decline. Current trends, however, show an increase due in part to increased demand from tobacco growers. This report provides information on the H-2A program, illustrates current trends, discusses issues raised by the proposed changes, and tracks pending legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vialet, Joyce C.
1998-04-09
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Mexican Drug Certification Issues: U.S. Congressional Action, 1986-1998 [Updated April 9, 1998]
"This report summarizes U.S. congressional action relating to Mexican drug control and drug certification issues from 1986 to the present, with emphasis on recent actions. Beginning in 1986, in the context of the 1985 killing of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, Congress required the President to certify annually, subject to congressional review, that drug-producing or drug transit countries had cooperated fully with the United States in drug control efforts to avoid a series of aid and trade sanctions. Mexico has been fully certified each year, despite some criticism, but Congress has closely monitored these certification decisions. Congress took some initial steps on resolutions to disapprove Mexico's certification in 1987 and 1988, and passed some drug-related restrictions on Mexico in 1989 and 1996. Congressional efforts to overturn the President's certification of Mexico advanced the furthest in 1997, when both houses passed modified resolutions of disapproval, which would have required additional reports on Mexican and U.S. drug control efforts. President Clinton reported to Congress in September 1997, in compliance with the Senate-passed version, even though it was never enacted into law. Following President Clinton's certification, on February 26, 1998, that Mexico was fully cooperative in drug control efforts, resolutions of disapproval (S.J.Res. 42 and S.J.Res. 43 and H.J.Res. 114) were introduced in both houses in early March 1998. When the Senate considered the Senate measures on March 26, 1998, objection was raised to a request for unanimous consent to consider S.J.Res. 43 (with a national interest waiver), and S.J.Res. 42 (a simple resolution of disapproval) was defeated by a vote of 45 to 54."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-
1998-04-09
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Drug Certification of Mexico in 1998: Arguments For and Against Congressional Resolutions of Disapproval [March 20, 1998]
"This report presents arguments for and against congressional resolutions which have been introduced to disapprove President Clinton's February 26, 1998 certification of Mexico as a fully cooperative country in efforts to control illicit narcotics. These resolutions, which must be approved within 30 calendar days of the President's certification, would disapprove the President's certification and require the withholding of assistance and support from Mexico (S.J.Res. 42), or they would disapprove the President's certification, but would permit him to avoid withholding of assistance if he determined that vital national interests required such assistance (S.J.Res. 43, H.J.Res. 114). Arguments for such resolutions include that Mexico's performance does not justify certification, that Mexico has failed to take adequate action against corruption and drug traffickers, and that such action would send a message of seriousness that would encourage greater Mexican efforts. Arguments against such resolutions include that the action would be seen as a unilateral and punitive approach, that disapproval of Mexico might have negative U.S. effects and might fail to encourage greater Mexican cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts, and that disapproval may negatively affect other areas of bilateral cooperation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-
1998-03-20
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Immigration: Visa Waiver Pilot Program [Updated March 18, 1998]
"The Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) allows aliens traveling from certain designated countries to come to the United States as temporary visitors without having the immigration documents normally required to enter the United States. Some maintain it fosters international travel to the United States and eases the workload of the consular offices abroad. Others observe that it by-passes the most important screening step of who is permitted to enter the United States, cautioning that it may inadvertently stimulate immigration violations. The program was scheduled to expire on September 30, 1997, but temporary extensions were included in both Continuing Resolutions. The Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary (CJS) FY1998 appropriations act (P.L. 105- 119) contains an extension through April 30, 1998. Bills to formally extend the program have passed the Senate (S. 1178) and have been reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary (H.R. 2578). H.R. 2578 is expected to come to the House floor before the April recess."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
1998-03-18
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NATO's Evolving Role and Missions [March 13, 1998]
"One of the key issues in the debate on NATO enlargement is the question of NATO's purpose and mission. This analysis suggests some possible answers to the question 'What is NATO?' The answers are based on an interpretation of the North Atlantic Treaty, the observation that an organization is defined by its activities, and the declared objectives and intentions of its members. From this view, NATO clearly remains a collective defense pact in which the members pledge to take steps to assist another member that comes under attack. But under current threat circumstances that commitment no longer dominates NATO's day-to-day agenda. The Treaty also suggests that NATO is a community of values and common goals in support of 'democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law,' which may help explain why NATO has survived the end of the Cold War. Today, the members have moved beyond the collective defense commitment to employ NATO's strengths as a defense cooperation organization for additional purposes. These purposes include creating political/military options for dealing with crises and challenges to the interests of the member states, spreading stability to Central and Eastern Europe, and encouraging cooperation with Russia and other countries. NATO is not a system of collective security, because it is not designed to resolve disputes among its members, but its activities contribute to collective security and make it a key part of an emerging Euro-Atlantic system of cooperative security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sloan, Stanley R.; Forrest, J. Michelle
1998-03-13
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FEMA and Disaster Relief [Updated March 6, 1998]
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps states and localities prepare for and cope with disasters that overwhelm their own capabilities. FEMA administers policies related to emergency management and planning, disaster relief, fire prevention, earthquake hazard reduction, emergency broadcasting services, flood insurance, mitigation programs, and dam safety. President Clinton has requested $3.1 billion for FEMA in FY1999. The majority of the funds ($2.3 billion, or 75%) are requested as disaster relief funding that would only be available should the President and Congress designate it as emergency funding under the Balanced Budget Act. The remaining 25% ($844 million) would fund agency salaries, grants to state and local governments, and training activities, and would replenish the Disaster Relief Fund with $308 million. For the past 14 years, annual appropriations for FEMA have ranged from as little as $600 million to a high of approximately $5.9 billion, including supplemental measures. For FY1998, a total of $842 million is available, as appropriated in P.L. 105-65. In FY1997 a total of $5.1 billion was appropriated--$1.8 billion in the FY1997 appropriations legislation (P.L. 104-204) and $3.3 billion in supplemental appropriations (P.L. 105-18). The principal federal authority for the provision of disaster relief is the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act). The act authorizes the President to issue major disaster or emergency declarations (the latter provide considerably less federal assistance than the former), sets out eligibility criteria, and specifies the types of assistance the President may authorize."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
1998-03-06
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Mexico's Counter-Narcotics Efforts under Zedillo [Updated March 4, 1998]
"This report provides information on Mexico's counter-narcotics efforts under the presidency of Ernesto Zedillo from December 1994 to March 1998 in the context of President Clinton's February 26, 1998 certification that Mexico was fully cooperative in drug control efforts. The report focuses on (1) trends in Mexico's share of illicit drug traffic to the United States, (2) measures of Mexico's efforts to control drug trafficking, and (3) Mexico's cooperation with the United States in counter-narcotics efforts. Mexico has remained the major transit point for cocaine entering the United States from South America, and a major source country for heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine, although more cocaine may be transiting the Caribbean recently. Seizures of cocaine, opium and marijuana increased in 1997, while seizures of heroin, methamphetamine and ephedrine declined significantly. Arrests declined in 1997, but Mexico had some limited success against major druglords. Eradication of opium remained nearly the same, while marijuana declined, although Mexico leads the world in this area. U.S.-Mexico counter-narcotics cooperation reached unprecedented levels, with the full range of law enforcement, military, border, and drug control agencies being involved, although corruption remains a persistent problem. Acting through cabinet-level and working groups of the High Level Contact Group (HLCG) on Narcotics Control, the countries announced completion of joint anti-drug strategy goals in February 1998."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-
1998-03-04
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Africa: Trade and Development Initiatives by the Clinton Administration and Congress [Updated March 2, 1998]
"In February 1997, the Clinton Administration submitted the second of five annual reports on the Administration's Comprehensive Trade and Development Policy for Africa as required by section 134 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (House Document 103-3415, Vol. 1.). On April 24, 1997, members of the African Trade and Investment Caucus introduced a bill, H.R. 1432, on U.S.-Africa trade and investment issues. In his State of the Union address in January 1998, President Clinton called on Congress to pass the trade legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dagne, Theodore S.
1998-03-02
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Iraqi Chemical & Biological Weapons (CBW) Capabilities [February 17, 1998]
The United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) has destroyed large amounts
of CB weapons and materials in Iraq since 1991. UNSCOM has reported no firm
evidence that Iraq still retains weapons or materiel, but the Iraqi government has not
provided adequate evidence to support its claim all its CBW arsenal has been destroyed,
nor has it accounted for CBW production materials known to have been in its
possession. These factors, coupled with Iraqi obstruction of UNSCOM inspections has
led to strong suspicions. U.S. and British intelligence agencies believe that Iraq still
may possess tons of chemical warfare agents and the necessary materials to produce
thousands of liters of biological agents. In addition, UNSCOM and U.S. intelligence
believe Iraq may still have hidden from 2-10 warheads designed to deliver chemical or
biological agents. UNSCOM and U.S. intelligence differ in their estimates of the
number of missiles that may still be in Iraq. The Iraqi chemical warfare arsenal has
included nerve agents (Sarin and VX), blister agents ("mustard gas"), and psychoactive
agents (so-called Agent 15). Biological/toxin warfare agents produced by Iraq include
anthrax, botulinum, aflotoxins, ebola virus, bubonic and pneumonic plague, ricin, and
clostrdium perfringens. Reconstitution of militarily significant production capability
using materials unaccounted for to UNSCOM could take only a matter of weeks.
During the week of February 23, the Senate is scheduled to consider S.Con.Res. 71,
calling on the President to take all necessary and appropriate actions in response to the
threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its lethal weapons program.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowman, Steve
1998-02-17
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Food Safety Agencies and Authorities: A Primer [February 5, 1998]
From the Summary: "Several federal agencies, in cooperation with state governments, are responsible for regulating the safety of the U.S. food supply. In the wake of an outbreak of foodborne illness and the largest recall of suspected contaminated meat in U.S. history in August 1997, several policymakers have reopened the debate on creating a single, independent, federal food safety agency. They assert that this would provide more effective regulatory control over the entire farm-to-table food production and marketing system by eliminating the overlapping and occasionally competing objectives of multiple agencies. As background for further discussion on this and related food safety issues, this report describes the roles of the primary federal and cooperating state agencies responsible for food safety and enumerates the major legislative authorities currently governing them."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vogt, Donna U.; Rawson, Jean M.
1998-02-05
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Immigration: Adjustment to Permanent Residence Status under Section 245(i) [Updated February 4, 1998]
"Under § 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, an alien in the U.S. who, on the basis of family relationship or job skills, becomes eligible for permanent resident status may adjust to that status in the United States without having to go abroad to obtain an immigrant visa. Historically, only those aliens who were here legally (e.g., as a student or a temporary skilled worker) could adjust status under § 245. In 1994, however, Congress enacted § 245(i). That provision, which was set to expire on September 30, 1997, allowed illegal aliens in the U.S. to adjust status under § 245 once they, because of family relationships or job skills, became eligible for permanent residency, provided they paid a surcharge fee. During debate on extending § 245(i), some viewed extension as an incentive to maintain illegal residency and as a 'loophole' to 1996 immigration reforms. Proponents of extension cited the money made available for immigration enforcement by the surcharge fee, and the utility of § 245(i) for allowing families that include an illegal alien member to remain intact."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Krouse, William J.; Eig, Larry M.
1998-02-04
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Immigration: The New Affidavit of Support--Questions, Answers, and Issues [December 15, 1997]
"The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has issued the new affidavit of support form required by 1996 immigration and welfare legislation. This is a legally binding contract with new income and reimbursement requirements to be signed by U.S. sponsors of immigrants. Its purpose is to satisfy the immigration law requirement that immigrants establish they are not likely to become a public charge; and to make sponsors financially responsible for sponsored immigrants. It must be used by immigrants applying for immigrant status on the basis of a family relationship beginning December 19, 1997."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vialet, Joyce C.
1997-12-15
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Central American Asylum Seekers: Impact of 1996 Immigration Law [Updated November 21, 1997]
"In enacting the Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 (Division C of P.L. 104-208), Congress rewrote provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that pertain to the circumstances under which certain aliens subject to expulsion from the United States may become legal residents. How aliens are affected by these statutory changes is being played out most vividly in the cases of Central Americans who first came to seek asylum the United States in the 1980s. As many as 300,000 Nicaraguans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans are potentially affected by these revisions. The Attorney General has the discretionary authority under the INA to grant relief from deportation and adjustment of status to otherwise illegal aliens who meet a certain set of criteria. This avenue, formerly known as suspension of deportation, is now called cancellation of removal. In addition to changing the name, IIRIRA established tighter standards for obtaining this relief. IIRIRA also established a cap on the number who could receive cancellation of removal -- 4,000 each fiscal year. It appears that the Nicaraguans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans were fleeing civil conflicts in their native countries throughout the 1980s. Nonetheless the Central Americans came as 'illegal' immigrants crossing the southern U.S. border without proper documents; most were denied asylum and placed in deportation proceedings. Yet, policy decisions -- notably the creation of the Nicaraguan Review Office in 1987 and an out-of-court settlement of the American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh case in 1990 -- enabled these otherwise deportable aliens to remain in the United States with employment authorizations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
1997-11-21
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U.S. Border Patrol Operations [Updated November 10, 1997]
"In FY1995, the U.S. Border Patrol formally adopted a strategy known as 'prevention through deterrence.' This strategy calls for deploying Border Patrol agents directly on the border to deter illegal entry outright, rather than attempting to apprehend illegal aliens after they have entered the United States. Congress has supported expanding this strategy by providing the Border Patrol with greater finding and manpower. A key oversight issue for Congress is determining whether this strategy is effective in deterring illegal immigration. The U.S. Border Patrol's primary mission is to secure the 8,000 miles of land and water boundaries of the United States between ports of entry. The Border Patrol's major objectives are to prevent illegal entry into the United States, interdict drug smugglers and other criminals, and compel those persons seeking admission to present themselves legally at ports of entry for inspection. The Border Patrol is an enforcement division of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)-the primary agency in the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged with administering the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). In contrast to the Border Patrol's mission, INS Inspections and the U. S. Customs Service (a division of the Department of Treasury) share jurisdiction over ports of entry. INS Inspections is responsible for screening travelers seeking admission; the Customs Service is responsible for clearing the entry of goods and merchandise into the country. Under current law, both agencies are cross-designated to enforce each other's respective areas of the law. Further, inspectors from both agencies are cross-designated to enforce federal drug laws."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Krouse, William J.
1997-11-10
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Toxics Release Inventory: Do Communities Have a Right to Know More? [October 26, 1997]
"In 1986, Congress directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national inventory of toxic releases to the environment by manufacturing facilities and to inform the public about toxic chemicals used and released in their communities. Recently, EPA has promulgated several rules expanding annual reporting requirements for industries covered by the 1986 law. Many affected businesses are concerned about an increase in paperwork and compliance costs. Some Members of Congress wonder whether the additional reporting burden is justified by benefits to public health that might result from the data collected. Others support EPA's expansion plans. The Clinton Administration strongly supports communities' right to know about toxics in their neighborhoods and has encouraged EPA's expansion efforts. This report reviews the issue of expanded reporting requirements to aid congressional deliberations about possible legislation. It describes the statutory framework and EPA implementation and summarizes key arguments for and against expansion of reporting requirements. It also raises broader questions about the role of the federal government in providing public access to information about private businesses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schierow, Linda-Jo
1997-10-26
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Terrorism, the Media, and the Government: Perspectives, Trends, and Options for Policymakers [October 22, 1997]
"This report article examines competing perspectives on the desired role for the media when covering terrorist incidents, and who wants what from the media: what the terrorist wants, what the government wants, and what the media wants when covering a terrorist event. It then addresses three trends that impact on the relationship between terrorism and the media and concludes with options for consideration. It is intended for Members and staff who cover terrorism and will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
1997-10-22
