Homeland Security

Text: U.S., Pakistan Cooperate to Repatriate Pakistani Nationals

(U.S. Department of Homeland Security press release) (410)
The Department of Homeland Security issued a press release on March 13
announcing the repatriation of 103 Pakistani nationals who were
illegally present in the U.S.
The press release noted that the U.S. and Pakistani governments
cooperated closely in the mission to return the Pakistanis to their
homes.
Other recent repatriation operations have included flights to
Cambodia, El Salvador, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Nigeria, and the
Philippines.
Following is the text of the press release issued on March 13 by the
Department of Homeland Security.
(begin text)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
March 13, 2003
U.S., Pakistani Governments Cooperate to Return 103 Pakistani
Nationals to Islamabad, Pakistan
Washington, D.C. -- The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE), in cooperation with the Government of Pakistan, this week
successfully repatriated 103 Pakistani nationals who were illegally
present in the United States. The Pakistanis, who had exhausted their
legal avenues of appeal, were flown by chartered aircraft from the
United States to Islamabad yesterday.
Michael J. Garcia, Assistant Secretary (designee) for ICE, hailed the
cooperative effort.
"The Pakistani government provided tremendous support in helping us
complete this important mission," he said. "We look forward to
continuing to work with governments around the world as we use this
agency's unique enforcement tools, including immigration laws, to
promote heightened security here in the homeland."
The government of Pakistan worked with U.S. officials to authorize
travel documents and coordinate logistics for the flight. A Pakistani
government official accompanied the group to assist in the smooth
return.
Yesterday's repatriations represent the fourth in a series of
collaborations between Pakistan and the U.S. within the last year,
leading to the successful repatriation of about 500 Pakistani
nationals. Pakistani government officials emphasized the importance of
intergovernmental cooperation in the effort.
"Almost all of these individuals wanted to return home as quickly as
possible and be reunited with their families," said Imran Ali, the
Second Secretary for Political and Consular Affairs at the Embassy of
Pakistan. "Our priority was to ensure their swift return with dignity
and honor."
This week's flight was the latest in a series of recent removal
missions the U.S. government has completed with the support of foreign
governments. Other recent repatriation operations have included
flights to Cambodia, El Salvador, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Nigeria, and
the Philippines.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)