Hispanic-American pushed for US immigration post

Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti has picked Matt Garcia, a Texas state legislator and son of a one-time illegal alien, as his candidate to head the immigration service, Justice Department sources say. President Carter must make the final decision on whether to nominate the San Antonio lawyer as commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. But sources say that Mr. Garcia is Mr. Civiletti's top choice.

The Garcia selection is expected to give the administration a political boost in the Hispanic community, which has been demanding that another Hispanic-American be named to the post. Acting Commissioner David Crosland has run the service since Leonel Castillo resigned as commissioner last fall.