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Oakland Tribune – November 20, 2003
Registration time again for visitors
Process creates uproar in Arab community
By Michele R. Marcucci
STAFF WRITER
Thursday, November 20, 2003 - Male visitors from 25 mostly Arab and Muslim countries who were required to register at immigration offices last year must make return visits starting this month, a requirement that is being met with much fear, confusion and anxiety by local Arab and Muslim communities, advocates said.
The process has created an uproar over the past year because thousands of people were detained, many on minor visa violations, after they voluntarily submitted to it.
People who were required to register last year -- a list that includes most male visa holders, green card applicants and some asylum seekers ages 16 and up from the designated countries -- must register within 10 days of the one-year anniversary of when they first reported to immigration officials.
Those who don't comply with the requirement could face criminal penalties or deportation, said Sharon Rummery, San Francisco spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is handling the process.
"If they're still living where they were living when they registered, they should come back to the (immigration) office where they registered, Rummery said.
Male visitors from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen are required to re-register.
Green card holders are exempt from the requirement, Rummery said. But those in deportation proceedings are still required to register, advocates said.
Advocates, who protested across the street from immigration offices in San Francisco on Wednesday, called the process racial profiling.
"This program has created havoc in my community. It's created stress, anger and total despair. And I am outraged," said Samina Faheem Sundas of American Muslim Voice.
And advocates said many people are confused about their obligation to register, because immigration officials have failed to provide adequate information.
For example, registrants who have left the country are re-registered on their return, and are not required to report to immigration officials again for a year from that date.
Rummery said federal officials singled out countries where terrorists have been active. And she said that all foreign visitors will be required to register with the government starting Dec. 31.
Immigration officials have not released any new information reminding people of their obligation to register, Rummery said. But she said people who registered in the last year were told they would have to come back, and were given a packet that listed the re-registration requirement.
More information is available at (800) 375-5283. Those who need assistance with registration issues can call American Muslim Voice at (866) 490-8900.
San Francisco immigration attorney Banafsheh Akhlaghi, who represents several people who have gone through the registration process, said that not everyone got the packet.
Registrants will need to bring their passport, I-94 and other paperwork associated with their visas, Rummery said. The American Civil Liberties Union also advises registrants to bring proof of residence and suggests registrants contact an attorney before going through the process.
Registrants will again be photographed, fingerprinted and interviewed, Rummery said. Those whose visas are expired will be detained.
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82%257E1726%257E1779215,00.html?search=filter#
The same story is also carried by:
Alameda Times-Star: http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125%257E1486%257E1779235,00.html?search=filter
Argus – Fremont: http://www.theargusonline.com/Stories/0,1413,83%257E1968%257E1778953,00.html?search=filter
Tri-Valley Herald: http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stories/0,1413,86%257E10669%257E1779101,00.html?search=filter
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