Open Letter From Ambassador Of Pakistan

My dear friend,

As you are aware, the Pakistani community in the United States is passing through a very critical time because of the INS registration process which is starting from the 13th of January to the 21st of February. Our government and the Embassy has raised the issue at all levels with the US Administration both in Islamabad as well as in Washington DC. Foreign Minister Kasuri raised the issue with Secretary of State Powell only yesterday. Earlier, the matter had been discussed with US Ambassador Nancy Powell in Islamabad and I have also taken it up here with top officials in the State Department, National Security Council and the Justice Department.

Till the time the US side responds to our request to take Pakistan off the list, which appears improbable, it is essential that the Embassy and the Community work hand in hand to help the Pakistanis who will be undergoing registration from January 13. There are two ways in which this could be done.

First, it is very vital that representatives of the Pakistani community in the United States seek meetings with the relevant INS District Director in each State and bring to his /her attention the following points:

* Pakistan is a frontline ally of the US in Operation Enduring Freedom. It does not deserve to be humiliated by inclusion in such discriminatory lists.

* Pakistan's inclusion in the list has also sent shock waves through the law-abiding and peaceful Pakistani community in the United States which has one of the lowest crime rates of all ethnic communities and has no links with terrorist organizations.

* We would emphasize that the following categories of applicants be treated with due dignity and respect during registration and allowed to stay in the US without fear till their applications are finalised:

a) Applicants under 245(i), which relates to amnesty granted to all immigrants present in the United States on sponsorship before 30th April 2001.

b) INA sections 212(a)(5)(A); and 8 U.S.C. Section 1182(a)(5)(A), which relate to those Pakistani nationals who have applied for labour certification.

c) Sections 203(a) INA and 204-1, 8 CFR, which relate to those Pakistani nationals who have applied for change of status on basis of family ties.

d) Those H1 visa holders or F1 students who have had minor blemishes in their immigration history, eg, having missed semesters, having worked off campus or in case of H1 visas, having been out of job for a limited period of time.

e) Those without adequate papers should also be granted an extended amnesty if they have no criminal record.

The second step would be the establishment of booths and help centers near the vicinity of the main registration centers to help the community. A model center would have four or five volunteers, a fax and a phone, and a lawyer to provide to potential registrants. Please inform the Embassy at phone number 202-332-8340 or email parepwashington@erols.com regarding the location, days of operation and any other information regarding the centers. We would then put the information on the website. The list of INS designated registration centers is: (Click here for the list)

The Pakistani community in the United States is our Government's biggest asset. At no other time has there been a greater need for the community to unite and mobilize itself in assistance of fellow Pakistanis.

Community Meetings are also being held in Houston, Dallas and Chicago and all information is available on the Embassy website at www.pakistan-embassy.com.

We look forward to your suggestions and comments at parepwashington@erols.com . Please do contact the Embassy if you are meeting INS officials, or setting up a community assistance center.

Yours sincerely,

(Ashraf Jehangir Qazi)

Date/Time Last Modified: 1/16/2003 10:53:04 AM

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