August 18, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-us-Sani 19, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

WASHINGTON, Aug 17: “As the second phase of homeland security operation begins in the United States the Pakistan Embassy has urged Pakistan nationals to register themselves at airports while leaving the country.

“According to the law, it is mandatory that while exiting the United States, all individuals who have undergone registration previously, report and re-register with US Immigration authorities at the airport. Failure to do so and exiting without reporting to the United States Immigration offices at airports would lead to subsequent inadmissibility into the US and possible detention and deportation,” the embassy said.

As part of the second phase, the homeland security department has contacted some Pakistan American citizens and green card holders for interviews.

During the interview, they are asked about their contacts and friends in the United States and Pakistan, their affiliation with social and religious groups and their political and business activities.

Some are also asked to produce their credit card reports and telephone calls to local and international destinations.

Such interviews began after several Pakistanis were arrested for alleged links with terrorist organizations, including Al Qaeda and Lashkar-i-Tayyaba.

Last year, the Bush administration introduced a new law requiring Pakistanis and other Muslims to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Pakistani American citizens and the Green Card holders were exempt from registration.