January 17, 2003	Friday	Ziqa'ad 13, 1423

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WASHINGTON, Jan 16: The United States has geared up the deportations of foreign nationals to their native countries in North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia since the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, says a recent report.

Based on a computer analysis of records provided by the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS), the report reads that many in the country link this trend to the Sept 11 event. They point out that all the hijackers involved in the attacks had come from the Middle East, which allowed American authorities to target these countries as part of their anti-terrorism campaign.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported several cases in which Arab and Muslim immigrants were deported for minor violations.

An Arab student in New York was expelled for working seven hours a week, beyond what his visa allowed.

A Jordanian in New Jersey was sent home because he violated terms of a tourist visa by working at a Dunkin Donuts shop.

This shift in focus by the INS strikes many as a logical response to the threat posed by the Islamic extremists, but critics say it has done little to secure America from the threat of terrorism, according to the report.

“There’s no evidence . . . that the selective enforcement has been an effective response or has helped in any way to combat terrorism,” said Doris Meissner, who was INS commissioner from 1993 to 2000.

Meanwhile, the Muslim and South Asian advocacy have arranged various programmes to help those hurt by the US registration programme.

A federation of Pakistanis’ groups on the East Coast called FAPA is urging Pakistani expatriates who feel they have been victimised by INS officials, to share their experience.

The FAPA is particularly concerned about religious discrimination and plans to file a lawsuit based on its findings.

The South Asian Network, a Southern California-based organization, is holding a free clinic on the registration issue. Immigration attorneys and other experts will be available for consultation.

The Muslim Community Centre (MCC), in cooperation with the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Centre, will hold a “Know Your Rights” seminar at the centre on Jan 26.

During this workshop, presenters, including the immigration attorneys, will discuss immigrant’s rights and possible employment discrimination based on the immigration status and national origin.

In early February, the APALRC and the MCC will also conduct a free walk-in legal clinic on the immigration issues.

The National Council of Pakistani Americans has launched a toll-free telephone line, in collaboration with the Resource Foundation, a non-profit economic development group, to help people in the INS registration process.

The phone number is: 1-888-213-2122.