By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Democratic Congressman Russ Carnhan says a Homeland Security investigation of immigration offices should include bureaus in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Last week a former high-level immigration official told a House panel that the department allowed immigrants into the United States without proper background checks, and also failed to investigate fraud complaints against its own employees.
Homeland Security says it is now investigating ten immigration offices for fraud, including those in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.
Carnahan says he has no evidence of fraud in St. Louis. But he said immigrants here often face delays here even if they follow the rules.
"We've had many people that have come here that have gone through all the proper testing and document checks, and yet they've been delayed for many years," Carnahan said.
The Congressman said he supports a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. But he says those who obey the law should get priority.