WASHINGTON, Dec 16: Pakistan is not yet on the list of the countries whose citizens must register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service while on visit to the United States, US and Pakistan embassy officials told Dawn on Monday.
Under the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System, launched on the first anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks, the US government must maintain photographs and fingerprints of all male visitors from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Syria and Sudan. Another 13 countries were added to the list in October. “There has been no addition so far to the original list of 18 countries,” Jorge Martinez, a spokesman for the US Department of Justice, told Dawn.
“We have checked with the INS and so far Pakistan is not on the list of countries requiring registration,” said Mohammed Sadiq, deputy chief of mission at the Pakistan embassy.
More than 3,000 men aged 16 and above from the five countries on the first list were required to register by Dec 16.
Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria are also on the US State Department’s list of the countries that sponsor terrorism.
Another group of more than 7,000 males from 13 other nations are required to register by Jan 10. Out of these 13 countries, 12 — Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen — are Muslim. North Korea is the only non-Muslim country on this list.
Mr Martinez, however, said that while announcing the list, INS had said that more countries may later be added through additional notices. “I am not aware when the new notice will appear,” he said.
However, both INS and the Pakistan embassy confirmed that a large number of male visitors from Pakistan had been individually asked to register with the INS. They were also photographed and fingerprinted.
“Most Pakistani males, aged between 16 and 46, have been ordered to register while entering the United States,” said Counsellor Officer Imran Ali. “There is no general deadline for them. Each individual was told when to register,” said Mr Ali.
“Individual decisions are made by the INS officers at the port of entry. They can ask visitors from any country in the world to register,” said Mr Martinez and added: “It is very important for visitors to understand. An INS officer has unlimited discretionary power. He or she can even refuse to entertain a valid visa.”
The deputy chief of mission said that the Pakistan embassy had “protested this practice at the highest level,” urging the US authorities not to fingerprint or photograph Pakistani visitors.
Meanwhile, a prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group urged the INS to extend its deadline for the registration of non-immigrant visa holders from Muslim countries.
“The government has done little to spread the word in the Muslim and Arab-American communities about the requirement to register. Many people may unwittingly place themselves in the position of being deported merely because they lack information about the INS order,” said Jason Erb, governmental affairs director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Mr Erb expressed concern over reports that a number of those who complied with the order had been detained based on visa technicalities. He also said some registrants complained that they were being asked inappropriate questions about their mothers and fathers, credit card information, and even the contents of their pockets.
“This seems to be another in a series of ‘dragnet’ policies that target law-abiding visitors. These policies are an ineffective and inefficient use of law enforcement. They create unnecessary fear and apprehension among visitors to our nation. People are either uninformed or confused about the orders. We need more time to educate our community about the registration programme,” said Mr Erb. He added that those who must register should consult an immigration attorney before their interview with the INS.
Mr Martinez, however, said that Monday’s deadline would not be extended. “Individuals who approached INS with personal requests on medical and other grounds, they are being granted waivers, but only on individual basis. No extension.”
REGRETS: Our story on the subject published in these columns yesterday, particularly its incorrect headline, created widespread confusion among our readers, for which we offer our regrets.—Ed
