Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : War -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: robnhood who wrote (18893)	1/16/2003 6:03:10 PM
From: lorne	Respond to of 23908

Way to GO George>>>>> Men from Five More Nations to Register in U.S. Thu January 16, 2003 10:40 AM ET By James Vicini WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Men from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and Kuwait will be added to the list of foreign visitors who must register with the U.S. government under a controversial anti-terrorism program, Justice Department officials said on Thursday. They also said nationals from the initial five countries covered under the program -- Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria -- who missed the deadline will get a second chance to register. The registration program, which applies to males at least 16 years old, has drawn criticism from some Arab and immigration groups who complained that Middle Eastern men were unfairly targeted. The officials said the addition of five more countries would bring the total to 25 nations covered under the program that began in September aimed at temporary foreign visitors who present increased national security concerns. The program also required the visitors to submit to fingerprinting and photographing when they entered the United States. The program, initially announced in June, was prompted by concern about the lack of records on tourists, students and other foreign visitors after the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The foreign visitors must provide detailed information about their background and the purpose of their visit to the United States, must periodically verify their locations and activities and must confirm their departure from the United States. Foreign male visitors from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and Kuwait will have from Feb. 24 to March 28 to register, the officials said. They must have entered the United States before October and will remain in the country at least until March 28. CONGRESS REQUIRED PROGRAM Congress has required that a comprehensive program be in place by 2005 to track virtually all of the 35 million foreign visitors who come to the United States each year. Concerning nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria who missed the Dec. 20 deadline to register, the officials said they will be able to register again between Jan. 27 and Feb. 7 without penalty. They said the grace period for these individuals was extended because some did not learn about the registration requirements in time. The program resulted in the arrest of hundreds of Iranians in California last month, sparking widespread panic in Arab and other Muslim communities across the United States. The registration period for certain males from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, two U.S. allies in the war on terrorism, began on Monday. Registration ended on Friday for citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. EUROPE REQUIRES REGISTRATION The officials said European nations have had a similar registration system in place for decades. They said the countries selected are places where Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network or other terror groups have been active or where the United States has other "national security concerns." Failure to register by the specified deadline can result in possible deportation and criminal prosecution, they said. They said nearly 1,000 individuals have been temporarily detained under the program for being unlawfully in the United States and for violating immigration law. About 170 now are in custody. Fifteen people have been detained nationwide because of criminal convictions, the officials said. The registration program does not cover lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylum grantees, certain asylum applicants and diplomats. reuters.com