Immigration and Naturalization Service Restructuring Act of 1998
Latest action (30 Jul 1998): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 4363, the Immigration and Naturalization Service Restructuring Act of 1998, would have reorganized the INS's internal management structure. The bill would replace the agency's existing organization with three main components under a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner: an Office of Immigrant Services, an Office of Enforcement Operations, and an Office of Shared Services, each headed by an Executive Associate Commissioner. It also creates a Chief Financial Officer position and a strategic planning unit at headquarters. The stated goal was to separate immigration benefits/services functions from enforcement functions (border patrol, inspections, investigations, removals, and detention) into distinct chains of command, while consolidating administrative support (technology, records, personnel, facilities) in a shared services office.
The bill primarily affects the internal operations of the INS itself—its leadership structure, staff organization, and administrative processes—rather than directly changing immigration law or eligibility rules. It includes savings provisions ensuring pending legal proceedings, licenses, and court cases are unaffected by the reorganization, and it makes conforming technical amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act replacing references to INS "districts" with "designated offices." It also sets the Commissioner's future pay at Executive Schedule Level III. The changes would have taken effect October 1, 2000.
The bill was introduced on July 30, 1998, by Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC), with Rep. Howard Berman as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It received no further action, no committee vote, and was not enacted before the 105th Congress ended.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill was introduced on July 30, 1998, in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4363 do?
- H.R. 4363, the Immigration and Naturalization Service Restructuring Act of 1998, would have reorganized the INS's internal management structure. The bill would replace the agency's existing organization with three main components under a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner: an Office of Immigrant Services, an Office of Enforcement Operations, and an Office of Shared Services, each headed by an Executive Associate Commissioner. It also creates a Chief Financial Officer position and a strategic planning unit at headquarters. The stated goal was to separate immigration benefits/services functions from enforcement functions (border patrol, inspections, investigations, removals, and detention) into distinct chains of command, while consolidating administrative support (technology, records, personnel, facilities) in a shared services office. The bill primarily affects the internal operations of the INS itself—its leadership structure, staff organization, and administrative processes—rather than directly changing immigration law or eligibility rules. It includes savings provisions ensuring pending legal proceedings, licenses, and court cases are unaffected by the reorganization, and it makes conforming technical amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act replacing references to INS "districts" with "designated offices." It also sets the Commissioner's future pay at Executive Schedule Level III. The changes would have taken effect October 1, 2000. The bill was introduced on July 30, 1998, by Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC), with Rep. Howard Berman as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It received no further action, no committee vote, and was not enacted before the 105th Congress ended.
- Has H.R. 4363 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 1998, H.R. 4363 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4363?
- H.R. 4363 was sponsored by Rep. Melvin “Mel” Watt [D-NC12, 1993-2014] (Democrat-NC), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4363?
- Introduced (30 Jul 1998).
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