October 22, 2003	Wednesday	Sha’aban 25, 1424

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LOS ANGELES, Oct 21: The second round of INS (now called Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services-BCIS) Registration will begin in December when nationals of 24 Muslim countries will be required to register in groups.

Of the 82,880 from those 25 nations who registered with immigration offices last year, more than 13,000 face possibility of deportation, mostly because of visa violations. Of those who registered, 136 have been classified as “criminals” by federal officials, and 11 have been detained as suspected terrorists, according to immigration authorities.

The US government has refused to divulge their names, nationalities or any information about their alleged terrorist ties.

According to the Migration Policy Institute report, despite the INS Registration, many of the Sept 11 terrorists would probably be admitted to the United States today since most had no previous criminal, terrorist, or immigration records.

The American Muslim Voice, Blue Triangle Network and Pakistan American Alliance are demanding an explanation from the Justice Department as to why the same people from the same country are required to re-register this year. The AMV, BTN and PAA are urging the Justice Department to stop the INS Special Registration.

“We are making an open call to all concerned fellow Americans, organizations, media, peace and justice groups, interfaith organizations, academia, students, labour unions, and legislators to please join in our effort to make this a nationwide campaign against the oppression of Muslims, Arabs and South Asians,” said Samina Faheem, Executive Director of American Muslim Voice.

“For a second time, these people will be exposed to the risk of new bureaucratic and paperwork problems which will result in their being secretly detained indefinitely and deported even if they were not detained during the first round,” she said.

“The AMV/PAA has established a hotline in August to help Pakistanis, Muslims and Arabs to assist in re-registration. The AMV toll free hotline (1-866-490-8900) is working from 9 am to 11 am Pacific Time every day. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in case of emergency.

“Pakistanis and Muslims are urged to take legal and expert advice before going for re-registration. I consider it pertinent to mention here the case of a young Pakistani student from Lahore, Has-san, 19, who was detained for one day when he went for registration in February, was recently given one year visa extension after his case was properly handled by the AMV/PAA.

“His brother Ahmad Amin, 17, was also given one year stay. Not only these brothers were provided legal advice but their plight was exposed in the mainstream media that contributed to the reconsideration of their case by the Immigration officials,” she said.