FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG Friday, April 25, 1997 (202) 616-2765 TDD (202) 514-1888 Attorney General Reno and INS Commissioner Meissner Announce New Naturalization Team Attorney General Janet Reno and Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner Doris Meissner today announced that they would draw on the talents of a senior-level, career Department of Justice administrator and the former Comptroller General of the United States, to aid INS in addressing the pressing need to improve the integrity of the nation's naturalization system. On Monday, April 28, the Attorney General will assign Robert K. Bratt, currently with the Justice Department's Criminal Division, to INS to serve as Executive Director for Naturalization Operations. Working directly under the Commissioner, he will oversee the operations of the naturalization program and develop an action plan to correct the systemic problems within the program. The Attorney General and the Commissioner have pledged to give him whatever resources he needs to do the job. Bratt's first priority will be to ensure current naturalization case processing follows Quality Assurance procedures, and he will directly manage the field operations staff responsible for implementing those procedures. He also will supervise the implementation of recommendations stemming from the ongoing review by INS and KPMG Peat Marwick of the over one million naturalizations granted during Fiscal Year 1996. Charles A. Bowsher, former Comptroller General of the United States, will serve as Special Advisor to the Commissioner, a part-time, non-compensated contract position. He will assist in the development of the action plan and advise the Commissioner on the best ways to implement the new procedures. "I am committed to taking any and all steps necessary to ensure the integrity of the nation's naturalization program," said Reno. "We owe it to the American people and to the thousands of honest hardworking immigrants who each year seek citizenship, to have a program that is fair and efficient while maintaining the high standard such a precious benefit deserves." "The experience and talent of Bob Bratt and Charles Bowsher will help INS overcome the greatest management challenge this agency faces," said Meissner. "I look forward to working with them both." Bratt, who has been with the Department for 19 years, is currently the executive officer for the Criminal Division where he is responsible for the overall management of the division's administrative functions, including budget, personnel, automation, and security programs. He is an experienced management troubleshooter, who has overseen sensitive and complex departmental efforts. Bratt has received numerous awards for outstanding performance, including the President's Distinguished Executive Rank Award, and the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management, the highest management award given within the Justice Department. Bowsher was appointed Comptroller General by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served in that capacity until November of 1996. The Comptroller General is the principal officer of the General Accounting Office and is responsible for evaluating the operations of all government agencies and programs, and advising Congress on their economy, effectiveness and efficiency. GAO also develops recommendations on ways in which Federal programs can be improved. ### 97-174