>From: "Walsh, Brian J" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Barr Works to Reform Secret Evidence Laws >Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001 13:14:17 -0500 >X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) > > > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: > > Brian Walsh >WEDNESDAY MARCH 28, 2001 >202-225-2931 > >Barr Works to Reform Secret Evidence Laws >Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to >Protect Fifth Amendment Rights > > WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Representative Bob Barr (GA-7) joined House >Minority Whip David Bonior (MI-10) and Rep. Tom Davis (VA-11), Chairman of >the National Republican Congressional Committee, at a news conference on >Capitol Hill this morning to introduce bipartisan legislation addressing the >use of secret evidence in immigration proceedings. > > "The use of secret evidence in immigration proceedings not only >violates basic principles of fundamental fairness, but it is also blatantly >unconstitutional," Barr said. "A cornerstone of our judicial system is the >right of individuals to view and respond to evidence used against them. >This legislation reaffirms the Fifth Amendment's guarantee that no person >shall be deprived of liberty without due process." > > Currently, the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the >Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to use classified information >in political asylum and deportation cases. The evidence is not disclosed to >the immigrant or their counsel. Under the proposed legislation, a federal >district court judge would be presented with the government's classified >evidence and would then provide an unclassified summary to the immigration >judge and to the defendant. No classified information would be revealed and >the defendant would have access to the same information as the immigration >judge who would decide the case. > > "This bill is about fairness and freedom for all those living under >the U.S. Constitution," Barr said. "I look forward to working with my >colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure this legislation is signed >into law." > > During the second presidential debate last year, President Bush >indicated his support for ending the use of secret evidence. The >Bonior-Barr legislation, specifically, is supported by a number of advocacy >groups from across the political spectrum, including the ACLU, the American >Bar Association, Americans for Tax Reform, and all major Arab and Muslim >organizations. > >Barr, a former federal prosecutor, represents Georgia's Seventh District. >He serves on the House Financial Services, Judiciary, and Government Reform >Committees. >--30--
