A Note from the Editors:

The initial theory of Special Registration appears simple - lets know the who/when/where of immigrants, so we can find the bad guys among them when our intelligence tells us who the bad guys are. By the addition today of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, and Kuwait to the ever-lengthening list of countries, Special Registration takes what we believe is one step further towards General Registration.

Criticizing Special Registration because it initially targets certain nationals and not others is criticism doomed to fail. Once British, Canadian, German, Japanese, Mexican and other nationals are also required to register alike generally (we are here dubbing this "General Registration"), the Department of Justice/Department of Homeland Security (DOJ/DHS) will point out that discrimination can no longer be alleged.

In criticizing Special Registration, we also need to look at the end of its path, not just its beginning. If the end result of an all-powerful all-knowing government gives us pause, as it should given the lessons of the history of Nazi Germany, we should question any path that will take us to a similar end. The real problem with Special Registration is that it portends increased governmental control over everyone, US citizens and immigrants alike. After every immigrant has been registered, why should DOJ/DHS stop there? Why not require the whole gamut of restrictions on all Americans, then? Particularly if some of the perpetrators of any future Al-Quaeda terrorist attacks happens to be a US citizen, this argument will appear compelling to those in DOJ/DHS. Special Registration does not appear to have anything fundamentally good to commend it for it paves the way for the US to become a totalitarian state.

We have received quite a few letters from outraged readers on this issue. We welcome readers to send their comments to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

Articles

What is Special Registration?
Lal Varghese writes about Special Registration.

Special Problems and Advanced Strategies Part 3
George N. Lester IV writes about how to handle particularly challenging situations faced by practitioners, focusing on mergers, acquisitions, relocations, and other corporate changes, as well as the issues that arise when an H-1B employee resigns or terminates his/her employment.

IT Industry Follows Automakers In Responding To Globalization
The Hartford Courant of Hartford, CT quotes Harris Miller, President of the Information Technology Association of America "the [IT] industry isn't disappearing, but likely is transforming as America's automakers did under pressure from foreign competition."

Virginia State Study Says Proof Of Legal Stay In US Should Not Be Required For Drivers Licence
The Times-Dispatch of Richmond, VA reports "Virginia shouldn't change the law to make people prove they're in the United States legally to receive a driver's license or state photo ID card, according to a state study released yesterday."

Successful Lawyer Turns Dot-Com Entrepreneur
Michael Kahn writes about the interesting path which led Bob Meltzer to become founder and President of VisaNow.com.

Earned Legalization: A Points System for Essential Workers
Gary Endelman offers a possible solution to the question, "What is the best way to legalize those now living outside the law, and the mainstream economy, in a way that promotes national security"?

50,000+ Immigrants Register
Newsday quotes an INS spokesperson saying "more than 50,000 immigrants already have registered with the INS either at agency offices or at ports of entry into the United States."

INS Publishes Final Rule For Overhaul Of Foreign Student Visa Regulations
Christina LaBrie writes about the INS Final Rule affecting international students.

Undocumented Is All-American
The Wilminton Star of Wilmington, NC reports on an immigrant who is the beneficiary of a private bill

Special Registration Akin To Voluntary Registration Of Jews In 1930s Germany
An opinion column in the Des Moines Register compares Special Registration to the voluntary registration of Jews in Germany in the 1930s.

Oh Say, Can You C? Preparing For A New Era Of Legal Practice
Marc Lauritsen writes about how the adage that "C" students are often the most successful might even take on new meaning.

Special Registration Extends To Certain Nationals and Citizens of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, or Kuwait
The INS issued a notice extending special registration requirements to certain nationals and citizens of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, or Kuwait who entered the US on or before September 30, 2002, and who will remain in the US after March 28, 2003.

How Do I Bring a Sibling to Live in the United States?
Read comprehensive answer from INS on how US citizens can bring their siblings to live in the US.

ILW Highlights

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Letters to Editors

To write to Editors, send emails to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

Dear Editor,

I work with International students at a community College and I agree with what you say............I personally feel uncomfortable about referring the students to the registration.

Beverly Medina

Dear Editor,

I was reading your comments on the Special Registration process designed to trap innocent people and drive everyone else underground. It is not only ridiculous but unfair and cruel. The attorney general seems totally drunk with power and seems like he belongs to the Nazi era. The govt has made the American dream into an American nightmare! Where is the Beacon of Freedom and the beacon of hope for less fortunate people all over the world. The people who have come to this country in hope for a better life are today being punished and persecuted for loving the U.S.A. The very human rights the U.S claims to be the champion of are being crushed in the name of homeland security. Families are being torn apart. People need to stand up to this madness, what is the govt going to do next? Install surveillance cameras in every house and apartment in the country?

Daniyal Shah

Dear Editor,

My husband has been deported, the lawyer I had asked for $5000.00 up front, I feel he stole this money and he has not done anything, how and were do I find this out, Every call he gives me a different answer, that was my whole savings now am faced with supporting a house hold and raising 4 children on my own, my family is facing hardship, just because my husband is Egyptian. I now know if I would have had a different lawyer he probably would have been home by now. Thank you.

Carma

Dear Editor,

Your comments so appropriately pointed out the efforts of Justice department finding a needle in a haystack. Its not only a cruel joke but a stupid approach which requries inspected and admitted non-immigrants, with some exceptions, to report for registration. Looking carefully at the regulation, one finds out that those who crossed border to enter into USA without inspection need not report for registeration. Had there been a terrorist hiding in such a gigantic haystack, guess which line he/she will be - the one which need not report. Good legislavtive work by Mr. Ashcroft and his team. Thanks for your efforts to elucidate the matter.

Imtiaz S. Syed

Dear Editor,

My friend registered last week, to do the right thing. He is detained in Alabama (!) right now. They took him there from Atlanta, GA. He is in a cell 23 hours a day and being told nothing. An attorney told us he will most likely be deported. The INS isn't giving us any information, and the Jail isn't giving us any information. My advice is NOT to register!

TLR

Dear Editor,

Many immigration professionals in Canada have been watching aghast at the post 9/11 situation for immigrants in the USA, especially those who come in for special treatment because of their ethnic or religious background. Being an illegal in the USA looks more and more like a nightmare for people who are otherwise honest and hardworking and who want nothing better than to improve their lot in life. The problem of special registration is one of those nightmares, which from my vantage point seems more like an entrapment program than anything else.

Illegals make an incredible contribution to the USA. If INS does not want to help find positive solutions for illegals, then perhaps illegals or their attorneys should start looking to Canada as a possible solution. Canada wants immigrants. A good number of professionals and skilled workers illegally in the US could possibly qualify for immigration under Canada's point system. This is an option that should be given careful consideration.

Tim Morson

Immigrant Life

Part time husbands

When I first got married and moved to the USA I never thought four words could make a difference. I came to abhor the ring of telephone and those dreaded words, "I am going to be a little late, there is a case in the emergency room." Continued.

If appropriate, ILW.COM would be happy to carry your story on the website. Send your story as an immigrant to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

This week's chat schedule

When	Attorney
Monday, January 20 8:00 pm Eastern Time	No Chat
Wednesday, January 22 8:00 pm Eastern Time	Kevin Dixler, Esq.
Friday, January 24 8:00 pm Eastern Time	Fariba Faiz, Esq.

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