INS SEES TOUGHER SCREENING FOR IMMIGRANTS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA

Alan C. Nelson, commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, announced this week that the federal agency will speed its processing of asylum applications and take a tough line on ``frivolous'' claims. Central American immigrants who apply for asylum but don't qualify will be placed in detention centers. If needed, the INS will build a tent city to hold up to 5,000 detainees. Since Jan. 9, a court order has prohibited the INS from limiting the travel of asylum seekers, many of whom go to California or Florida. The order expired yesterday.

Those denied entry under the new plan will be placed in deportation proceedings, held in INS custody, and will appear before immigration judges, where they may resubmit asylum cases.