Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 17, 1990 TAG: 9005170266
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
Among other things, the measure would expand the list of drug crimes punishable by death and it would streamline the procedure for deporting aliens convicted of drug crimes.
Civil liberties groups were quick to criticize parts of the bill, particularly the provision that could hasten the deportation of thousands of legal aliens.
The bill would nullify their rights to an administrative hearing before deportation.
"This seems to be yet another example of the Bush administration's alien-bashing," said Antonio Califa, legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union.
"The fact is that in many of these cases, the punishment of deportation might not fit the crime and these people could be deported without a full hearing."
Under current federal law, a person can be sentenced to death for committing a murder involving narcotics trafficking.
The new legislation would permit the execution of major drug dealers even if their criminal activities did not include murder.
by CNB