Informed Sources

Open Heart, Open Door, Bad Idea?

Some officials of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the State Department are upset over Attorney General JANET RENO'S recent decision to override policy and admit to the U.S. eight Cubans whose boat sank off the coast of Mexico. A Justice Department spokesman confirms that Reno personally decided to admit the refugees because their story moved her but insists it was a onetime exception. Sources say ins acting commissioner Chris Sale acceded reluctantly, fearing the decision capriciously discriminated against other would-be immigrants with stories no less tragic. Critics say Reno's decision has encouraged a flood of Cubans to head for Mexico, believing it is the new pipeline to Miami.

Muzzling Gephardt -- Temporarily

House majority leader DICK GEPHARDT has the White House guessing how actively he'll oppose the North American Free Trade Agreement. On the same day last week that Clinton mustered former Presidents Ford, Carter and Bush to support the pact, Gephardt had planned to give a speech in Congress opposing it. A Democratic Party source says Clinton called Gephardt to quiet him: "Having Gephardt come out against us on the same day would have just been devastating." Still, Gephardt is expected to issue a statement opposing NAFTA this week.

Travel Money for the Unemployed?

The DEPARTMENT OF LABOR is considering a policy change in the way government helps the jobless. Because more unemployed people are finding that they need to relocate to get work, Labor Secretary Robert Reich may request extra unemployment assistance to help pay for some of the costs involved in job searches that require long-distance travel.