WASHINGTON, Jan 6: The US Immigration and Naturalization Service has asked Pakistanis living in America not to miss the special registration that begins next week.

Failing to register, the department warned, could lead to arrest and deportation from the United States.

“Don’t wait until the last day. Come and register as soon as you can,” said an INS official while addressing a group of Pakistanis over the weekend.

Pakistanis who entered the United States on or before Sept 30, 2002, are required to register with the INS between Jan 13 and Feb 21.

The registration applies only to males born on or before Jan 13, 1987. Those who plan to leave the United States before Feb 21 need not register.

Every applicant will be interviewed under oath.

According to the INS, the registration begins with the applicant being photographed and fingerprinted. Then comes the interview, which could prove to be a gruelling experience for many.

Those interviewed in the first phase of registration, which ended Dec 16, say INS officials can ask any question they want — ranging from the applicant’s childhood to his marriage, political affiliations, friends and relatives.

Questions about religion could be the most difficult. The applicants may be asked about their sect, the mosque they visit and religious scholars they follow or listen to at Friday prayers.

Those who sympathized with armed groups — such as those in Afghanistan or Kashmir — may be detained while authorities investigate their past.

The same could happen to those who have proven links to religious parties like Jamaat-i-Islami and JUI.

Those who have served in the armed forces may be asked about the training they received, why they left the service and may face questions aimed at determining their religious leanings.

Those who plan to remain in the United States for more than a year must report back to a designated INS office when they complete one-year of stay in this country. They have to register every year for as long as they stay.

They will have 10 days to register at the completion of each full year of stay.

They must also report their change of address, employment, or educational institution to the INS in writing within 10 days of the change, using form AR-11 SR. Some Iranian and Arab nationals who failed to report their change of address or employment have been arrested.

While leaving the United States, they must appear in person before an INS inspecting officer at one of the designated ports and leave the country from that port on the same day.

Those who fail to register or do not follow this procedure can be arrested, fined and deported. They may not be allowed to apply for a US visa again.

The green card holders, refugees and approved asylum seekers need not register.

Diplomats and their dependents, individuals with diplomatic visas, as well as representatives and employees from accredited international organizations are excluded from special registration.

Spouses, children and parents must also register. So should a person whose spouse, children or parents are US citizens or legal permanent residents.

Those who have dual citizenship also need to register.

Those who have applied for permanent residence should register as well, even if they have been in the United States for many years on temporary protected status.

However, those who entered the United States illegally but now have temporary protected status need not register. Those who were paroled into the United States are also exempted.

Those who plan to leave the United States before Feb 21 need not register. But when they return to the United States, they will be subject to the registration requirement existing at that time.

The registration can only be done at the designated INS district or sub-office. A list of such offices is available on the Internet at www.INS.usdoj.gov.

No appointment is needed for registration. But the INS has requested people to come in the morning. Applicants will be seen on the same day that they come in.

Applicants must bring their passports and form I-94 (arrival - departure record), any other government-issued identification documents, and proof of residence, employment or school matriculation.

Those living in the United States could bring a lease or rental agreement, utility bills, etc. to show where they live.

Those staying with friends or relatives could bring a postmarked envelope or bill showing their names and addresses.

Those employed could bring their payroll stubs or employment contracts.

The students could bring their class schedule, official notification of their grades, class or yearbook pictures, identification card or evidence of participation in extracurricular activities.

The INS officer can ask additional questions of a national security or law enforcement nature. The interviewing officer could also ask another INS officer to interview the applicant.

If necessary, the applicant should bring an interpreter. A parent or legal guardian may accompany juveniles under the age of 18.

Applicants can also engage a lawyer if they can afford to pay for legal consul.

Once an applicant is registered, the officer will mark his form I-94 to indicate that he has complied with the registration requirement. Those who have lost their form I-94 may apply for a replacement by paying $85.

Those unable to come for registration during the specified period should come in as soon as possible thereafter. But they should be able to explain and document why they were unable to register on time. If the INS officer determines that the applicant did not wilfully ignore the registration requirement, he will be registered.

Those reporting their change of address, employer or school after the registration should write the Fingerprint Identification Number issued when they were registered. Those who do not have a FIN number should use the number of their I-94 (arrival - departure record). Those who have an alien registration number can also use that.

Change of address forms (AR-11 SR) should be mailed to the address noted in the instructions.

Every time a registered alien leaves the United States, he must notify the INS in person on the departure date, even if he is going to Mexico or Canada.

He must leave and enter through a designated port. If he does not report his departure, he may be denied admission to the United States when he returns.

There is no waiver from special registration but a waiver can be requested after the registration for up to one year. A waiver can be given in medical emergencies and to representatives of a foreign government on a non-diplomatic visa. If the waiver is not approved in writing before the annual interview period, the person should appear for the interview.

Those from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria are required to register each time they enter the United States. The INS officer at the port of entry may refer individuals from other nations for special registration as well.