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| Justice Department to Propose New Visa Regulations |
| 2002-06-05 |
| The Justice Department this afternoon will propose a regulation requiring a new "special registration" of people visiting the United States from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Sudan, according to congressional officials. Visa holders temporarily entering the United States from the five countries would be required to be fingerprinted and photographed and to provide contacts in the United States and in their home countries. After 30 days, the visa holders would have to report to the Immigration and Naturalization Service about their activities, and again after each year in the United States and when leaving. Violators would be barred from re-entering the United States. More of a start than a measure, but the Politically Correct will howl with anguish... The officials said a similar arrangement already exists for all of the five countries except for Syria. Notably, the new list excluded Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Yemen, North Korea and Cuba. However, those entering the United States from virtually any country could be directed to meet the same requirements if the INS determines them to be of a "higher security risk." The Justice officials who briefed lawmakers today did not say what the criteria would be to label a visitor a higher security risk. They'll be serious about it when the Soddis and Paks are on the list. Sudan will probably be off, as they're tiny potatoes in the international terrorism game. Yemen produces the occasional lunatic and lots of blushing brides for the al-Qaeda swains. North Korea and Cuba are both negligable threats to this country at the moment. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 This is no more than an American is required to do when visiting their countries. When I visited India last year, return ticket, local sponsor, local address, proof of immunization, proof of HIV test, checking in with immigration every 2 weeks etc. were all required. You can only get a 28 day visa in Qatar. We have to jump through all sorts of hoops when visiting their countries. So, sock it to 'em. |
| Posted by: bob 2002-06-05 14:12:47 |