Homeland Security

DATE=11/17/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IMMIGRATION LAW / PROTEST (L-O)

NUMBER=2-309928

BYLINE=JENNY FALCON

DATELINE=NEW YORK

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Dozens of demonstrators in New York are calling on the Bush administration to repeal a program that requires male immigrants from 25 nations to register with the U-S government. Correspondent Jenny Falcon reports from New York that the protest marked the first anniversary of the registration policy.

TEXT: / / / PROTEST CHANT ACT / / /

Hey hey, ho ho, special registration has got to go. Hey hey, ho ho, special registration has got to go.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Protesters from immigrant communities, religious and civil rights groups chanted outside the U-S government building in Manhattan where many immigrants in New York must register.

The policy, which began one year ago, requires immigrants to re-register every year with immigration authorities until they become citizens. Those who do not re-register face possible arrest or deportation.

The Justice Department created the program to help track foreign visitors after the September 11th terrorist attacks. So far, over 82 thousand immigrants, mainly from Arab and Muslim nations, have complied.

Critics describe the program as a form of racial profiling. But they say it fails to deter terrorism because terrorists are not likely to offer personal information to the U-S government.

Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, Margie McHugh, says instead the program is increasing a backlog at the Department of Homeland Security that now runs the U-S immigration agency and is devastating the lives of tens of thousands of immigrants who are trying to obey the law.

/ / / MCHUGH ACT / / /

It is an insult to our values as patriotic Americans who believe in our constitution and it is an insult to our intelligence to put it out there that we are somehow safer because of a program like this.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Ms. McHugh says deportation hearings were scheduled for at least 13 thousand people who came forward to register, although none were charged with terrorism-related crimes.

/ / / OPT. REST / / /

Advocates are calling on the U-S government to end the program. In the meantime, they say the government should send immigrants reminders that they must re-register. They also want the government to provide translators during the interrogation process. (SIGNED)

NEB/NYC/JBF/BJS/RH