Michael Novick <
antiracistaction_la@yahoo.com>
To :
imc-la@regenerationtv.net Subject :
[imc-la]next INS deadline Jan 10, 2003---13 more nationalities targeted---time to act
Date :
Sat, 21 Dec 2002 00:23:09 -0800
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January 10, 2003 is the next deadline imposed by the INS for registration, fingerprinting and interviews
for so-called "visitors" from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea,
Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, or Yemen. We have just seen with Iranians
and others in the first group required to report in, that mass arrests and detentions occurred, based
on specious "visa irregularities" by people in the process of achieving permanent resident status.
These new regulations adopted for so-called "national security" have nothing to do with combatting
terrorism. Instead, they serve to demonize immigrants and particularly those from predominantly
Muslim countries. They are part of a concerted campaign by the government to promote an
atmosphere of fear, division and repression. They are connected to the drive toward war with Iraq
as part of the Bush administration's program, supported by Democrats as well, of an "endless war
against terrorism." Just as "weapons of mass destruction" are only a pretext for a war for U.S. domination
over regions and resources, "terrorism" is a pretext for stigmatizing immigrant workers as scapegoats
for a deepening economic crisis within the US.
We cannot allow the government to divide us or intimidate us at this moment, nor can we rely on
conventional political methods such as petitioning our elected representatives to act. They have acted,
and legalized all these measures of military aggression and political repression, just as Germany
"legalized" all its repression of Jews with a series of Nuremberg laws. The time is now for
concerted direct action that builds solidarity and courage. The parallels to the rise of fascism in Europe,
reflected in the comments of Rev. Neimoller in Germany -- "First they came for the communists and I
did nothing, because I wasn't a communist -- are very strong. Today they are coming for the immigrants
first. Just as the people of Denmark, under Nazi occupation, responded to a call from their king to put on
yellow Jewish "Stars of David" when the Nazis ordered Danish Jews to where such yellow stars, people
in the U.S. need to step up against this repression.
On January 10, when the INS round-ups will apply to nationals from 13 more countries, we should mass
by the hundreds and thousands at INS offices demanding to be interviewed. Let a thousand voices proclaim
"I am Spartacus" to the demands of the new Empire, as the rebel slaves did to the demands of the Roman
Empire. Below is the INS call for additional "foreign visitors" to report by January 10. It includes a link to
find INS offices where "visitors" can register, and an 800 number to call for more information. Here in L.A.,
The Westwood and Downtown L.A. federal buildings are two obvious locations, but there are others
throughout southern CA and the U.S. as a whole. Hopefully the thousands of people beginning to raise
our voices against the war in Iraq will speak out now, as that war comes home.
12/06/02
INS Reminds Certain Temporary Foreign Visitors
of Eighteen Countries of Registration Requirement
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) reminds certain temporary foreign visitors of eighteen countries of a new requirement to register with INS. This registration is part of the second phase of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS), being implemented by the INS to fulfill a Congressional mandate to implement a comprehensive entry-exit program by 2005.
The NSEERS program helps ensure our nation's security by protecting the rights of individuals coming to this country as well as the safety of the American people. While America is an open and generous society that welcomes visitors from foreign countries, it is essential that the government know who is entering and exiting our borders. NSEERS promotes several important national security objectives by helping the U.S. to identify wanted criminals and known terrorists entering our borders, enable the INS to determine instantly when temporary foreign visitors have overstayed their visa, and verify that temporary foreign visitors are doing what they said they would be doing and living where they said they would live.
Under this program, temporary foreign visitors (non-immigrant aliens) coming from certain countries or who meet a combination of intelligence-based criteria are identified as presenting elevated national security concerns. As a result, they are required to be registered under NSEERS, providing detailed information about their background and the purpose of their visit to the United States. Such individuals are also required to verify periodically their location and activities, as well as to confirm their departure from the United States.
The process has operated effectively with participation of temporary foreign visitors from 112 countries. INS officers have made every effort to minimize any delay or inconvenience to those individuals required to register under this program.
Temporary foreign visitors who are citizens or nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan or Syria who were admitted to the United States as non-immigrants on or before September 10, 2002, and who plan to stay in the United States until at least December 16, 2002, must register with their local INS office by December 16, 2002.
In addition, temporary foreign visitors who are citizens or nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, or Yemen who were present in the United States as non-immigrants before October 1, 2002, and who plan to stay in the United States until at least January 10, 2003, must register with their local INS office by January 10, 2003.
This requirement only applies to males 16 years or older. Most individuals are students, individuals in the U.S. on extended business travel, or individuals visiting family members for lengthy periods. The requirement to register with INS does NOT apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylum applicants, asylum grantees, and diplomats or others admitted under "A" or "G" visas.
Failure to register constitutes a failure to maintain nonimmigrant status and is a criminal violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This is one of several notices to protect the national security of the United States by enrolling additional temporary foreign visitors in NSEERS.
For a list of local offices or sub-offices in respective states, please visit the INS website at www.ins.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/alphaa.htm. Individuals may also call the INS Service Center at 800-375-5283.
-INS-