WASHINGTON, Aug 30: The Pakistan Embassy has urged those Pakistanis who went home without second registration to contact the embassy before returning to the United States to avoid being sent back, official sources told Dawn on Saturday.

Pakistanis living in the United States on work, student or other similar visas are required to register with the immigration officials twice, once when they arrive and again when they leave the country.

Those who were registered during the mandatory registration under amended immigration laws last year are also required to register every time they leave the United States.

But embassy officials say that many Pakistanis failed to re-register while leaving the United States for a visit abroad and at least a dozen were refused entry in August alone when they returned.

When others who had gone home without second registration heard about these deportations, they contacted the Pakistan Embassy in Washington and the embassy took up their cases with the newly established Department of Homeland Security.

When the embassy convinced the department that most of them had done so out of ignorance and that they were law-abiding citizens not involved in any criminal activity, the department allowed between 60 to 70 such people to return to the United States.

“The chances are that we will be able to help others as well. So we advise them to get in touch with the consular section in Washington immediately,” said Imran Ali, Second Secretary of Consular Affairs.

Mr Ali said that US officials were getting more and more strict everyday and “we advise those Pakistanis who have made this mistake not to waste anymore time.”

He said that earlier this week the US government had informed all those 25 countries whose citizens require mandatory registration that they would no more be lenient with those who failed to register while leaving the country.

“I can say that it will be more difficult to help them now than it was last week. And the situation will get worse every day. But we can still help. So please do not waste your time. Inform the embassy right away,” he added.

Those wanting to contact the embassy have been advised to call 202-498-4987 or e-mail their messages to PAREPWASHINGTON@EROLLS.COM.

They embassy also has warned those who want to leave the United States temporarily not to seek information about registration from airlines officials because they have nothing to do with the registration and most of them have no information about the process.

“US officials do not accept the argument that an applicant was wrongly advised by an airlines official that he or she does not have to register. They simply send such people back home,” said Mr Ali.

He said that relevant information is only available at the Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Immigration Services, the Border Patrol Bureau and a US embassy abroad.

He said that every port of disembarkation has a port director and those who need information about registration can also contact the director’s office.