REPORTS ON SPECIAL REGISTRATION, immigration-lawyer.com, Kirberger PC

REPORTS ON SPECIAL REGISTRATION EXPERIENCES
(taken from American Immigration Laywers Association)
15 Jan 2003

“INS Office statements” are based on information provided by each INS office mentioned to various immigration attorneys. “Reports from individuals/ attorneys of actual experiences” are based on information provided by immigration attorneys and their clients at local INS offices throughout the United States. This information is changing constantly. The information provided below is from reports provided to AILA as of January 8, 2003.

Terminology:

NTA: Notice to Appear, the document issued by INS to begin removal proceedings.
245(i): A provision whereby those who began certain processes for obtaining permanent residence prior to April 30, 2001, may complete those processes without having to depart the US even if they have not continually maintained legal status.

To add your special registration experience, go to the American Immigration Lawyers Association website.

ARLINGTON, VA INS

Office statements:

Registrants who are out of status will be referred to Investigations for issuance of NTAs. Anyone taken into custody will be placed in handcuffs since they are under arrest. Once some modifications have been made to the office, Investigations personnel can conduct interviews there and handcuffing may be avoided.
If there are no exacerbating factors, bonds will be set for persons taken into custody at $1,500. Release on own recognizance will be considered in “certain cases."
Anyone with a valid EAD will not be referred to Investigations unless there is a ground of removal/inadmissibility present.
Registrants with an adjustment of status application pending (and with proof of its pendency) will likely not be referred to Investigations, but the INS reserves the right to issue an NTA where is concludes that the person is subject to removal.
Filing of a labor certification application alone will not prevent referral to Investigations. If the labor certification is approved, and an I-140/I-485 filed, or an I-130/I-485 are filed, the registrant will likely not be processed for an NTA. (But see reports from individuals/attorneys, below, wherein the actual experiences have been different from this assertion.)
Voluntary departure will be permitted for persons out of status or with no basis to remain in the U.S. They must have the means to effect departure, not be a flight risk, and not pose a danger to the community.
Those who come in after their deadline will be referred to Investigations.
Registrants have the right to have counsel present (but note reports from individuals/attorneys below regarding actual experiences with this issue).
Registrants with pending appeals will not be referred to Investigations.
During the last registration period, the Arlington office had 303 individuals processed for registration, and 14 referred to Investigations for NTAs. Of those, 11 had bonds of $5,000, one had a bond of $10,000, and two were released on their own recognizance.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Attorney reported on 1/30/03 that, to that date, she has had about 15 clients taken into custody as a result of registration and the backlog on 245(i).
Statements from INS indicating that individuals who are out of status will be referred for NTAs should be taken seriously.
Registrants must show that they have continuously maintained status throughout their stay in the U.S.
Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences: Despite INS statements otherwise, registrants who filed adjustment applications concurrently with I-130 or I-140 petitions, but the petition has not yet been approved, are being processed for NTAs and sometimes must pay a $1,500 bond.
Individuals who are in nonimmigrant status must take W-2s for proof of continued employment with the petitioning employer, as well as proof of current residence.
Persons attempting to register during the week of 12/9 were told to return after 12/16, but the District Office advised INS HQ that this is not happening.
On deadline date (12/16), person attempting to register was told to go to Dulles Airport, because the Arlington Office is not equipped to handle registration.
People attempting to register in Arlington are often told to go to Dulles airport. At Dulles, attorneys are not being allowed in the interview “because it is a secured area”, and are told to go back to Arlington if they wish to have representation during the interview.
Early on, process took about 20 minutes. Social security card, driver’s license, credit card, passport, I-94, and proof of employment (pay stub) were requested. Fingerprinted and photographed. A registration number was placed on the back of the I-94.

Treatment of late registrants:

The Arlington office has indicated that registrants who come in after their deadline will be referred to Investigations, presumably for issuance of an NTA.

ATLANTA, GA, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Attorney reports that Atlanta does not allow attorney representation at NSEERS interviews held by Investigations.
Attorney reports that on 2/07/03, the Atlanta office put into removal proceedings an Iranian-born Swedish citizen who has a pending adjustment of status application filed in December (and holds a work authorization). The individual had been out of status for 3 months prior to the filing of the adjustment. The INS officer indicated to the attorney that the policy has been changed, and that INS is once more issuing NTAs to people with pending adjustment applications.
Attorney met with a person from Pakistan on 2/11/03 (BS in Electrical Engineering from Pakistan), who had gone in for special registration in Atlanta. Registrant has always been in status: he entered initially on a student visa, then later changed status to H-1B and worked for 1-1/2 years (has paystubs backing that up for the entire period). He eventually lost that job, but before that, applied for Change of Status (COS) to F-1 again. Ever since, he has been a student in good standing at Southern Polytechnic State University in Atlanta (Masters in Computer Science). His most recent COS request from H-1B to F-1 is pending. Registrant went to Special Registration assuming everything will be fine. After a 40 minute interview, the officer referred him to investigations. Attorney was told that an Officer Tom in investigations makes a lot of unsubstantiated allegations, accusing him of being allied with terrorist organizations, funneling money to terrorists etc. Officer Tom forced registrant to sign a Notice of Disposition agreeing to Voluntary departure by February 29. Attorney was told that registrant was not given an opportunity to speak at all, was told all his documents were fake, etc. Officers confiscated registrant’s Driver’s License and Social Security card and expired passport. Attorney had reviewed the documents beforehand, and everything looked to be in order as far as he could tell. The Petitioner on his H-1B visa was an American owned IT company. Attorney was accused by Investigations officer of accepting money from terrorists by taking fees to represent special registrants.
Individual who entered under advance parole was told by INS that he was subject to call-in registration, despite information in the Federal Register notice and advice from INS General Counsel’s office to AILA to the contrary.
If the registrant is completely in status, the interview is handled by Examinations. If there is any status issue, including an adjustment applicant whose nonimmigrant status lapsed, the registrant is referred to Investigations.
On 1/7, four registrants were detained and released on 1/8.
All registrants should ask to see DAO Thomas or Benton.
Brief interview. Passport, work authorization card and copy of lease were brought to interview and reviewed.
Waiting time of 4 hours, in room 104.

BALTIMORE, MD, INS

Office statements:

Registrants who are “out of status” will be referred to Investigations. Absent derogatory information, they are unlikely to be taken into custody.
Persons with adjustment applications pending, including those concurrently filed with I-130s or I-140s, generally will not be issued NTAs, unless there is other derogatory information.
Beneficiaries of approved I-130s or I-140s will be given two weeks to file an adjustment of status application and present proof of the filing. NTAs will be issued if they fail to do so, or if it is determined that they are ineligible for adjustment.
The Baltimore office will not permit voluntary departure for persons with no basis to remain in the U.S. NTAs will be issued, but if the individual departs during proceedings the office will not oppose a Motion to Terminate removal proceedings if there is evidence of the departure.
Attorneys are being allowed to attend the interviews. I-94 cards being marked to show that registration occurred.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Early on, attorneys barred from client interviews.
No marking I-94 cards of those who appeared.
Credit card numbers requested and taken down.

BLOOMINGTON, MN, INS

INS Office statements:

On 12/20, a supervisor indicated that the policy had changed and people with pending adjustments would not be put in proceedings unless there are other problems.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Registrant with pending Immediate Relative-based adjustment (adjustment interview already held) interviewed briefly by Exams, then sent to Detention & Removal (D&R). INS indicated that anyone with an apparent gap in status would be so referred.
Attorney barred from D&R interview. NTA was issued, and appeared to based on information obtained during this interview.
Three registrants taken into custody on 12/5. One had 245(i)-based adjustment pending and two were married to U.S. citizens with long-pending petitions. Handcuffed and separated from attorney. Threatened to set $10,000 bond, but eventually released on own recognizance at the end of the day.
Early on, guards were not familiar with Special Registration, and so did not allow registrants to enter. When registrant finally got in, interview took about 45 minutes. It was the first Special Registration interview that that office had conducted. Interview was cordial. Registrant with pending V Visa application was issued an NTA, and was told that instructions from Washington are that such people are to be placed in proceedings “in case” their other applications are denied. Also told that offices are under instructions to take and hold passports of anyone considered out of status.
Canadian landed immigrant who had entered on H-1B, been laid off on 12/22, but had filed a change of status to J-1 on 12/16, was initially told that he’d be taken into custody, but then was referred to an attorney. He resolved the situation by departing the U.S. and returning in J-1 status.
Somali under an Order of Supervision who had applied for asylum before 11/22/02 and who was granted TPS was told that he must register because the Federal Register notice for Saudi Arabia and Pakistan referred to only approved or pending asylum claims and “that’s what they meant to say for the rest of the countries.”
There is some concern about the 1/10 deadline, which falls on a Friday, because the Bloomington office is usually closed on Fridays. That office has said they will take special registrants on Friday, but the concern is that the guards may not realize they are special registrants and turn them away. Thus, it will be critical to invoke the magic words “special registration” that day.

BOSTON, MA, INS

Office statements:

All registrants must first report to Room E-140, Examinations.
Those who are out of status will be referred to Investigations.
Adjustment of status applicants will not be put in removal proceedings.
Although the office has not yet encountered the situation, they believe that if an individual who is out of status but has a labor certification application pending is encountered, a Notice to Appear will be issued but the person would not be detained.
Only those with outstanding warrants or criminal “hits” are being detained.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Attorney reported on 01/28 that, due to the need to divert officers to NSEERS registration, in the Boston District Office, 3000 N-400 interviews and 1200 I-485 interviews have been "descheduled." All interviews of all types for the month of February have been cancelled. The ADD of Exams told Attorney that New York and Newark have also had mass cancellations.
Early on, attorneys allowed in interviews, but told that they could not say anything or participate in any way. Now full representation allowed.
Registrants asked to empty their wallets. Credit card, bank account numbers, and video rental card numbers recorded.
Relatives’ contact information requested.

Treatment of late registrants:

Attorney reported on 01/21/03 that until about one week before this date, special registrants who had filed for asylum after the cut-off date for asylum applicants who don’t need to register were not issued an NTA. Then a local official called headquarters to "make sure" and was told to issue the NTA.
Attorney reported on 01/21/03 that until about one week before this date, special registrants who had filed for asylum but had missed the special registrant asylum deadline were not issued an NTA (One attorney reported two such cases). Then a local official called headquarters to "make sure" and was told to issue the NTA. (A second attorney learned what had happened after his client was issued an NTA.). So now people in this situation will apparently need to pursue their asylum applications with the Immigration Judge rather than with the asylum officer.

CHARLOTTE, NC, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Persons who are in status are registered by an examinations officer.
Passports are taken at the door and given to an officer for an IBIS check.
The individual fills out a questionnaire (copy not available).
The officer calls the person back for an extensive interview, mostly biographic information.
Registrants with an adjustment application pending, but who were not maintaining status prior to filing, may or may not be placed in proceedings—it is up to the Investigations officer’s discretion. Generally, if a pending adjustment application can be verified and there are no fraud issues, an NTA won’t be issued.
Registrants who are out of status—whether 245(i) eligible or not—generally are issued an NTA, and may or may not be detained.

Treatment of late registrants:

INS has indicated that late registrants will be detained, even if they are in a valid nonimmigrant status, unless they can produce credible circumstances as to why they failed to register before the deadline. Simply not knowing about registration is not enough.

CHICAGO, IL, INS

Office Statements:

In at least two cases, Out of Status (OOS) individuals were led in handcuffs outside the office building and down the street on their way to detention for all the public to see. Attorneys have been assured by the District Director's office that this will not happen again (see below for a case where public handcuffing and procession to detention did take place).

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

On 02/17, an attorney in Chicago reported going in for a special registration interview with a Pakistani client who had an employment-based I-485 pending with Nebraska (it was just filed in December 2002). The person was laid off by the sponsoring employer last month and has not been able to find a new job. At the special registration interview, the person was detained because, as the INS officer put it, "there is no basis for the Adjustment of Status application." The officer also said that having an I-485 filed is not automatic protection. Due to the large volume of registrants that day, the person ended up being held overnight.
B-2 overstay registrant from Afghanistan with approved 1st preference family based petition. Registrant present in US since 1990, and his entire family are either U.S. citizens or LPRs (Legal Permanent Residents). He is eligible to apply for cancellation of removal. After the registration was completed, investigators came and arrested registrant. Despite the protests of his attorney, officers handcuffed him and walked him out of 230 S. Dearborn to 10 W. Jackson, in full public view, at 10:30 in the morning. It took all day for the NTA and bond paperwork to be issued, but registrant did bond out at $1,500 by 5:15 pm.
Out of Status (OOS) individuals with adjustment applications on file have, for the most part, been allowed to register without being detained. However, at least three cases have involved adjustment applicants who filed I-485s while in status, but now have expired nonimmigrant status (2 B-1s and 1 F-1). The three registrants were detained and later allowed to post bond, but this clearly runs contrary to what the District Office said at an AILA Detention liaison meeting on Dec. 11th.
Moroccan registrant, age 25, B-2 overstay from 1995, married US citizen in 2000. Appeared for Special Registration 1/7/03. Adjustment filed late November 2000, still pending. Registrant arrived 8:45 a.m.; seen by Officer at 11:20 a.m. Registration consisted of INS officer reviewing passport, I-94 and personal ientification documents (drivers license, Employment Authorization Document, credit cards) and taking biographic information under oath. Questions about client's and parents' names, nationality/citizenship, addresses, e-mail, telephone number, employment, and means by which he traveled to U.S. Officer checked computer to verify pending adjustment application, scanned in client's right and left index fingerprints, took a digital photo and notated registrant’s I-94 to reflect that he appeared for Special Registration. Officer provided registrant with written information about special registration procedure, and instructed client to register again in a year if he had not yet received LPR status. Registrant left INS about 12:15 pm.
For the most part, INS officers have been courteous.
Out of status registrants who have been detained were issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) and released on bond for what appears to be an average of $1500 to $5000. Some people have reported bonds of as high as $15,000 for no particular reason (eg. B-2 overstay with US citizen spouse and children--no criminal issues).
B-1 overstay registrant married to a US citizen (no criminal issues) had to spend the weekend at a detention facility in Wisconsin without explanation; INS had been unable to process his case before the weekend.
In one case, INS used information gained during the interview to go out and detain the wife and minor child of the individual who registered.
Chicago registrants are asked to come to 230 South Dearborn (2nd Floor). After an individual signs in at the 2nd floor reception, names are eventually called. Some registrants wait several hours for the iterview. At the interview, individuals are asked a variety of questions, mostly biographical information of the vriety you would find on a G-325A. They are also asked to provide documents, including passport, I-94, drivers license, social security card and in some cases credit card info (at least one attorney was told that the credit card data is for ID purposes only and the information is not used to check into suspicious purchases). If there are no other issues, the individual is given information regarding continuing obligations and asked to leave.
Lebanese citizen, adjustment applicant based on marriage to U.S. Citizen and a visa overstay (entered in 1988 in F-1 status). Provided evidence of bona fides of the marriage (birth certificate of child, etc.) and evidence that he's not a flight risk (mortgage, lease for business office, professional licenses etc.). After 3+ hour wait, registrant was called up to the 23rd floor by examinations officer. Officer had a set list of questions, which included most of the items on the G-325A form, about personal and family background and questions about his employment, schooling and passport and visa information. Registrant was asked to produce a passport, I-94 card and driver’s license. Officer did not ask for other documentation, including I-485 receipt, A#, work authorization, evidence of bone fides of marriage or anything else. Registrant was then fingerprinted (index fingers of both hands) photographed, and run through the IBIS system. The officer marked an FIN (Fingerprint Identification Number) in his passport and on his I-94 card, gave him written instructions to re-register in one year (or if he leaves the U.S.) and released him. Interview took about one hour.
Registration of Iranian-born Canadian citizen on TN “quick and cordial”.
Questions were routine.

CINCINNATI, OH INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Person with approved I-140 and adjustment application pending arrested at special registration interview. No bond.
Individual admitted on visa waiver removed without hearing although he had pending immediate relative adjustment application based on a long-standing marriage.

CLEVELAND, OH INS

Office statements:

Latest: District office given orders by INS Headquarters that Adjustment of Status (AOS) and 245(i) cases were not to be issued Notice to Appear (NTAs).
All individuals with status violations will be placed into proceedings. This includes people with pending adjustment applications, and holding work authorizations, but whose underlying nonimmigrant admissions have expired (including expiration after the filing of the adjustment application).
Detention will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Registrant with pending employment-based 245(i) adjustment application taken into custody. Eventually released, but advised that an NTA will be issued.
Registrants asked to empty their wallets. Credit card, bank account numbers recorded.

DALLAS, TX INS

INS Office statements:

On 02/14, District Director said that NSEERS registrants who have an application for adjustment pending will not be issued an NTA. If they have some basis for a 245i adjustment, such as a pending labor cert or I-130, INS will look at all the facts of the case, such as length of time in the US, family ties, etc. and may not issue an NTA. Bond decisions will depend on their evaluation of likelihood of absconding and many are being released on own recognizance.
Office open for registration M-F, 6:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Get in line and tell guard you are here for special registration.
Bring passport and original I-94.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Palestinian born in Gaza and carrying Egyptian travel document referred to call-in Special Registration when he went to the Application Support Center (ASC) for adjustment fingerprints because he had different A numbers on his LIFE legalization receipt and his I-765 receipt.

DENVER, CO, INS

INS Office statements:

Office is not detaining persons with 245(i) adjustment applications pending (this statement, made on 12/28, differs from actual experiences described below).
Official of this office indicated that no one wants to be the person who releases the next Mohammed Atta, so they won’t think twice about detaining anyone. If the detention is an error, it will be dealt with later.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Experiences are mixed, with some “sailing through” and some being detained.
Individual with immediate relative-based adjustment application pending has been detained for several days now.
Client questioned without attorney present even though attorney had accompanied individual and was temporarily barred from the interview.
In-status individual detained because computer showed that his H-1B had been revoked (even though individual had no knowledge of such a thing and had evidence that he was still working for the employer).
Reports of students who had dropped to less than full time with DSO’s permission being detained.

Treatment of late registrants:

An Iranian-born Canadian citizen registered on 12/19 (3 days after the deadline), and had no problem about the late registration. The overall interview took one hour.

DES MOINES, IA INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Swedish citizen born in Lebanon (family members are all Swedish) was told he did not need to register. Given form to show he attempted to register.

DETROIT, MI INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Two reports of simple and courteous process.
Wait time approximately. 2 hours.

EL PASO, TX INS

INS Office statements:

Registrants currently out of status may request reinstatement to student status or submit “untimely” request for extension of nonimmigrant stay. The interviewer will determine bona fides of request and adjudicate application on site. If the application denied, individual will be referred to Investigations.
Interviewer will determine on case-by-case basis whether to refer to Investigations someone who is otherwise out of status but has an adjustment of status application pending.
If an individual is currently in status, but has had past violations, he most likely will not be referred. However, if interviewer determines that the current status was obtained fraudulently or the individual is not entitled to the status, he will be referred for issuance of an NTA.
As of 12/9/02, no registrant had been detained, but that is not to say that it will not happen in the future.

FRESNO, CA INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Registrant married to a U.S. citizen who had overstayed a nonimmigrant admission was detained with no bond.

HARLINGEN, TX INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Questions were along the line of what is on the Cleveland worksheet, and utility receipts were requested to establish residence.
INS interviewer did not seem familiar with immigration law or with the system for registration, and gave several pieces of plainly erroneous information.
Process, which took 1.5 hours, involved the completion of 4 pages.
After each page was entered, the INS interviewer had to wait for a response before he could complete the next page.

HARTFORD, CT INS

INS Office statements:

Persons out of status are referred to Investigations.Officer In Charge has discretion as to how to deal with these cases. As of 12/12, there had been about 6-8 of these.
Persons with a pending, viable adjustment of status application are not placed in proceedings unless there is other negative information. Similar weight is given to an approved or pending I-130.
Persons subject to mandatory bars and are not 245(i) eligible, but filed an adjustment application anyway are issued an NTA.
Persons currently in status, but who have past violations, are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Report to room 456.
Registrant with pending 245(i) adjustment application taken into custody, but released after attorney faxed I-797 receipt notice and I-140 approval notice. INS called VSC, where adjustment is pending, to verify. No NTA issued.

HONOLULU, HI INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

11/27 was the first registration in that office.
Process took 3 hours.
Only index fingerprints taken, not full 10-finger.

HOUSTON, TX INS

INS Office statements:

Those who are out of status will be referred to Investigations to determine if NTA should be issued. In most cases, a person out of status will be issued an NTA.
Adjustment of status applicants under Section 245(i) will not be arrested or sent to Investigations.
If the registrant has prior immigration violations but has reinstated his immigration status, he will not be arrested.
The Service reserves the right to investigate and issue an NTA on a case by case basis, of course.

KANSAS CITY, MO INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Three-hour wait. Interview itself lasted 20-30 minutes.
Questions included whether registrant is married, what transportation he uses, where and how often he travels, place of birth.
Passport and current pay stubs requested.
I-94 notated.

LAS VEGAS, NV INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Office uncertain how to handle registrant with pending asylum application, but who plans to withdraw that application and file an adjustment application under 245(i). Interview conducted, and registrant sent home with statement that INS may call. INS Investigations called later that day asking registrant to return. Indicated that detention is mandatory with no bond until all inquiries are negative.

LOS ANGELES, CA INS

INS Office statements:

New Acting District Director indicates, as of 12/16/02, that earlier policies noted below have changed. Now anyone considered out of status will be arrested and held until cleared through security checks.
Early statements indicated that, if the individual “has ever been out of status”, he will be detained and put in removal proceedings, even if an adjustment of status application is pending.
Later, LA indicated that it has prosecutorial discretion to proceed.
Later still, LA indicated that it will not be exercising prosecutorial discretion, but will be detaining all individuals considered to be out of status. After a background check is completed, bond will be considered.
As of 12/4, LA was registering 50-60 people per day. It had referred two people to investigations, and taken one person into custody.
Later reports, as of 12/19/02, show sharp increase in number of detentions (see reports from individuals/attorneys, below).
Asst. Director of Adjudications indicated on 12/19 that over 1200 people had been interviewed in LA, and slightly more than 400 detained. Other sources say that as of 12/17, between 200-500 had been detained.
On 12/19, announcement was made in a cafeteria filled with family members waiting to bond out their relatives, that persons with bonds set over $5,000 would remain in custody and family members could post the bonds; persons with bonds lower than $5,000 would be released and receive a letter telling them to report back in 30-60 days and the bond would not need to be paid.
As of 12/4, LA was registering 50-60 people per day. It had referred two people to investigations, and taken one person into custody.
In a case in which there had been an approved I-130 (priority date not yet current) and the individual was eligible for 245(i), that person was not taken into custody. Pending motions to reopen on denied changes or extensions of status are also favorable factors. However, this was an early case, and the District’s approach has since changed (see above).
Registrants have the right to counsel.
Definition of “national” will be based on retention laws of the country of birth.
INS officer can adjudicate an extension of status application (but not change of status application) for someone who failed to timely file one, or an application for replacement I-94, on the spot.
People who fail to register are subject criminal penalties and removal.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Attorney indicated on Jan. 9 that registrants at LAX airport are not given access to their attorneys at their interview due to the fact that airport officials consider it a security risk, i.e., too many people in the restricted area.
Events on January 10: Upon arrival at 6:00 A.M. at the Downtown Los Angeles INS office there were approximately 250 individuals standing in line to register, many of whom appeared to be men of Arab descent. MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) staff and other HRM volunteers there to monitor and document the special registration process and ensure the protection of rights for those registering, were ordered off the property by police and told that they could not talk to anyone in line registering. This occurred despite the fact that MPAC was given approval by INS to conduct this monitoring program in a meeting the previous day and was provided the necessary permits. Approximately ten minutes later, all 250 individuals waiting in line on the platform to register were rushed into the INS building, after which Mr. Al-Marayati was told that now MPAC monitors could talk to people on the platform in line. Throughout the day, those affiliated with MPAC's HRM Program were prohibited from monitoring and speaking to anyone inside the building. Four monitors were, in fact, kicked out of the building by security and were told that if inside, they are only allowed to get coffee, use the post office, or bathroom. Meanwhile, representatives from other organizations, as well as reporters, were allowed inside and could freely speak with registrants. MPAC monitors spoke with and received contact information for approximately forty men from Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon and Eritrea, as they went in to register. However, by the end of the day only ten came out. After making a series of phone calls to family members, it was confirmed that thirty of those men are currently out, while the status of ten remain unknown.
Lebanese man, 36 years old, not allowed to have his attorney accompany him during the interview process.
Moroccan man, 19 years old, has a valid work permit but was detained for twenty-four hours and asked questions irrelevant to his immigration status such as "what religion are you, what kind of Muslim are you…?"
Tunisian man, 27 years old, arrived at INS office at 3PM and was taken to the basement where he waited for three hours until his interview. His lawyer was not allowed to accompany him during his interview after which he was taken along with others to detention and released twenty-four hours later without bond.
Tunisian man, 25 years old, is married to an American citizen and has a visa with a green card application processing. Although he provided INS with the proper paper work proving that he received an extension on his visa, he was detained for three days. An immigration attorney's two clients with the same case (status/country/etc) had to post bond, one at $20,000 and the other at $15,000. For many who were registering, the process took an average of six hours.
For many who were registering, the process took an average of six hours.
Dual national (Iran/Canada) with pending Adjustment of Status told he still must register.
On 1/10, people were divided into groups of 15 and sent to Rooms 2024, 6024, and 8024. Registrants were first asked at the 8024 counter to provide ID documents, passports and status documents. Copies were made (INS appreciates copies made in advance by the attorney), and then a brief review of the documents at the counter was done. Officer then briefed each registrant as to whether he would be issued an NTA. Registrant was then called in by an officer to the interviewing room to go through the 3 page questionnaire. Fingerprints and photos were taken, and for those that needed to be referred to investigation, they were taken to the basement.
Attorney saw one registrant who was handcuffed in front of others, but made a request as to whether officers could avoid doing this in front of other registrants. The officer agreed to this request.
On 1/10, registrant who was referred to Investigation knew first thing in the morning when he had his documents checked by the Investigation officer that an NTA would be issued and that he would be released on his own recognizance later in the day. Registrant was released at about 9 pm that evening.
On 1/10, officials on the 8th floor went out of their way to be polite and courteous. Many were checking on registrants who were waiting at the interviewing rooms to make sure they were being processed accordingly. Registrants and attorneys were told to go to have breakfast for an hour as officials were getting ready. This was important, as many registrants ended up waiting for the entire day, and this was the only meal they had for the day.
As of 12/20, reports being received that some detainees are being released without the imposed bond being required.
Mass arrests of registrants are being reported, with numbers apparently well into the hundreds, and perhaps more.
One attorney, who brought 34 clients for registration one day, saw 30 of them detained. Most were adjustment of status applicants, and most of those had been maintaining nonimmigrant status at the time the adjustment application was filed (the nonimmigrant status had expired after the adjustment was filed, and the individuals have work authorization).
Detention conditions are poor, with people sleeping on floors and reports that detainees have not been fed in over 24 hours because the facility ran out of food.
Multiple reports of detention and expedited removal of registrants who had entered on the visa waiver program, despite pending or approved immigrant petitions or pending adjustment of status applications.
In two instances in which registrants were interviewed by INS District Adjudications Officers, the following information was requested:
- Family name, First name, and Middle initial.
- Drivers' licenses, passport, I-94 form requested, and registrants asked the following questions:
  - What's your nationality
  - Place of Birth
  - Sex
  - Date of Birth
  - Height, Weight, Hair color, Eye color
  - Purpose of your visit
  - Names of Mother and Father
  - Mother/Father dates of birth
  - Last address in country of origin
  - Social security number
  - Place, date of issuance and expiration date of visa
  - Passport Number, city and date of passport issuance (Although all the information requested is on the passport, the INS District Adjudication Officers did not look at the passport and asked the clients directly for the information).
  - What airline did you fly to enter the US, flight number, date and time of arrival
- Following interviews, interviewer made photocopies of employment verification letters and paycheck stubs.
- Fingerprints were taken of the right and left index fingers.
- Interviewer then took I-94 form, signed the back of that form and printed their District Adjudication Officer number.
- The interviewer then annotated I-94 form acknowledging registration.
- Passport, driver's license, and I-94 were then returned to the registrant.
Reports are being received of large numbers of people being detained at the LA office.
Stories abound of INS running out of handcuffs, and registrants being placed in criminal prisons because of lack of space in INS detention facilities.

MEMPHIS, TN INS

Office statements:

On 2/11/03, attorney spoke to Jim Mounce at INS in Memphis. Mr. Mounce said that it is officially the policy of INS Memphis to issue an NTA for anyone out of status. If the person has a 245(i) labor certification application pending, INS will issue an NTA and take him into custody. They will be able to post a bond on the spot but they are requiring $7500. Mr. Mounce did acknowledge that Judge Burman has been reducing the bonds, but also said that INS has gone to Washington, DC to object.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

On 1/22/03, Saudi national had no annotation made to his I-94. However, the adjudicator did provide an 8-digit FIN number exclusively for use by the alien for future yearly reporting requirements (10-day period effective one year from date of initial registration). For registrants that one attorney saw, the passport or the I-94 (where there was one) was annotated with the special FIN number for future registrations, and the one week period in which they must register next year was also put into the passport.
Re: dual citizenship: one attorney sends those born in a listed country in to register if they have not affirmatively disavowed allegiance to the nationality of birth. For the most part they are now Canadian citizens and the INS routinely refuses to register them.
Registrants told to go into window information area and tell security guard the purpose of their visit. No need to take a number.
An information officer provides a “referral letter” and a short worksheet and direct them to the 2d floor.
The worksheet asks for biographical information, bank account information, credit card numbers and a contact name and address.
Registrants put completed worksheets in appointment slots and waited.
Interviews, including fingerprinting and photographs, takes approximately one hour.
The information is entered into a computer, and a search for name hits is performed.
This office has only 3 computers that can be used for special registration.
Registrant who is maintaining status had a “long but painless” interview.
Registrant who was out of status but currently in removal proceedings with a application for cancellation and withholding pending was told that Investigations is supposed to see him, but because he has a merits hearing coming up, so there was no need for custody or bond.
“Memphis is giving almost no problems”

MIAMI, FL, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Attorney reported on February 3 that: Special Registration now has a whole floor (since about two or three weeks) dedicated for registration. 245i Applicants are not being detained unless they have a crime that makes them inadmissible.
Investigations is randomly checking for those who file an employment based 245(i) application to make sure they have the right documents (L-1, Approved Labor Certification, etc.) This is done to avoid the fraudulent filing of 245(i) applications to escape detention.
Officers are being courteous. Supervisors from all areas are lending a hand to this program and many other benefits are being rescheduled to accommodate this program.
Attorney reports that as of 1/24/03, the Miami District Office is doing a better job on its registration program. The word “stumbling” (see below) is no longer appropriate. Attorney adds that INS is doing a good job and being more informative than before.
“Polite but stumbling.”
Took 3-5 minutes for each question, with INS staff uncertain how to enter answers into computer.
Overall, took 8 hours for a completely clean case.

MILWAUKEE,WI, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Registrant was told by INS investigations officer that he had to leave US because he was out of status and therefore illegal. He showed his marriage certificate (to a US citizen) and explained that they'd just gotten married, and hadn't filed yet. Then he explained he had a plane reservation to go home (he and wife weren't sure if he had to leave, so they got ticket). Officer took the passport saying he was afraid the man would 'run'. Officer said, "I don't want to see you back here in a few years as a US citizen." Wife tried to get a receipt for the passport (she returned the next day alone, after they had released her husband) but the officer said if she wanted the passport or the receipt, she could bring her husband back and they'd throw him in jail, then send him away, and she could 'keep his passport'. Registrant has no criminal record in either country, and no 'hits’ on the database. While being held in the office for several hours, officials checked his background, took bank account information, and tried to get him to sign a form saying he was deportable.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN INS

See Bloomington, MN, above.

NEWARK, NJ, INS

Office statements:

Whether to detain/put in proceedings any registrant is case-by-case determination, taking into account “all factors and aspects” of the situation.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Yemeni registrant on Jan. 9 waited 12 hrs after arriving at 10 am, even though officials in room 1404 on 1/7 told attorney that approximate time needed to register was “very quick, maybe an hour and a half to 2 hrs." At 2 pm, attorney asked how much longer it would take, and was told that their computer system was down and they were trying to fix it.
By 4 pm, the line still was not moving, with no other information at all from officials as to what was going on. By that point, most registrants still had no food or drink all day, not wanting to lose their place in line in case they were called. By 5 pm, attorney asked if the system was back up again, and officials said yes, and that all 20 registrants still left, would be interviewed that day. With building now closed, building security is contacted to facilitate registrants leaving briefly to move cars before parking garages close; a list of those who leave is made.

At 6:15 pm, Yemeni registrant is called. Attorney asked to show G-28 and attorney ID Registrant is asked what his immigration status is and attorney replies "adjustment of status pending." Officer Craig looks at attorney and asks "what is that?" Attorney explains it to him. Then the usual follows: questions about the filing, his entry into the U.S., a look at his EAD, a check of his passport, etc. Registrant then just sits there as data is entered into computer, and is told nothing.. At about 6:45pm system crashes again! Registrant waits another hour. Officials go to move their cars and get dinner. For registrants, still nothing to eat or drink. INS Headquarters finally agrees that system will be down and gives okay to finish manually. Entire registration process started all over again, with fingerprinting and regular photos. Registrant is done about 8:30pm. He waits another 45 min. to get his passport back but is told not to leave.

At 9:30 he gets the yellow sheet, meaning he is referred to investigations and has to go to Hemisphere Center that night. All 5 remaining get the same thing. One was a student (in status), two were LULAC beneficiaries, already interviewed in Newark, one had entered without inspection and had an approved labor certification under 245i, and one, unknown status. Yemeni registrant waits for another to finish his free translation service to the INS, as they have no one who speaks Arabic there. By 10 pm everyone is ready to leave, and don't want to go the Hemisphere Center late at night, but were told by the supervisor that they have to, just take bus #62 from Broad Street. Attorney gives registrant his file and goes home; registrant heads to Hemisphere Center.

At 10:45 pm, attorney receives a call from registrant is told that Duty Officer will lock him up because he came to Newark to register even though his case is in NY. Attorney asked to speak with Officer, but Officer refused. Attorney told client that it does not matter were you register, any INS office. Investigations were finally done with registrant at 4am, and he was sent to look for a taxi at the Ramada Inn at that hour! Finally, he was let back in to use their telephone and was at home 5am. Investigations wondered, though, why is INS sending all these people there when they all have cases pending! However, of the 5, the Yemeni registrant was the only one that was allowed to leave without a bond. The other 4 were not allowed to leave unless someone posted a bond from $4000 to $5000…at 4am.

Two reports of confusion and having trouble finding anyone (guards, INS employees) who had heard of special registration. Eventually sent to room 1404.
Those who arrived later were seen first. Early arrivals had to wait approximately 6 hours.
Interviews vary:
- Relaxed interview, with questions similar to those on Form G-325. Checked passport for travel patterns, and other cards, such as credit cards, social security, drivers license.
- 1.5 hour interview.
- 30-minute interview.
- virtually no interview at all.
Officer indicated that they don’t take anyone into custody unless there is an outstanding warrant, and that you don’t have to be a NJ resident to go to this office.
Also indicated that INS WILL deport if you fail to register.

NEW ORLEANS, LA, INS

INS Office statements:

Examiners have been instructed to register those with adjustment applications pending, then refer them to Investigations. Investigations will then determine whether to issue an NTA based on criminal history, etc.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

On January 10, 2003, attorney accompanied 5 Yemeni nationals to register at INS Memphis. Attorney was in the middle of his fourth interview when INS, without his knowledge, interviewed the fifth registrant outside of attorney’s presence. After the fact, attorney complained to the Acting OIC (Officer in Charge), but he did not care. He said it was getting late and the interviews needed to be completed. INS detained 5th registrant, and attorney bonded him out the following Monday with a $7500 bond.
On January 8, 2003, attorney accompanied two I-130/I-485 applicants with apparently (and documentarily) very solid marriages to US citizens. Both had been married and divorced from US citizens in years past, with I-130/I-485's filed in the past. One was out of status at time of 2nd filing -- one arguably wasn't. Got in line about 8:30. Would have been through by about 9:45 or 10:00. NSEERS registration seemed pretty smooth. However, at conclusion of NSEERS registration, investigations officers took both clients away for removal processing. Based upon last month or more of NO District Office policy, attorney was astonished. Attorney argued clients’ case, and about 1:30 they were released without NTAs being served. When first informed that officers were going to process the registrants for removal, attorney was told that "policy had changed." Then later, attorney was told (by supervisory special agent) that the problem was registrants (though not much different from thousands of people who filed I-130/I-485's in years past).
Citizen of Trinidad & Tobago who was born in Libya (although neither parent born in Libya) told that he did not need to register.
Registrant denied right to counsel on 12/18.
Office now made aware by attorney that there is a right to counsel in call-in registration.

NEW YORK, NY INS

Office statements:

Out of status registrants will be referred to Investigations for possible issuance of a Notice to Appear. Investigations will use prosecutorial discretion in determining whether to issue an NTA, but most likely someone who has no application pending WILL be issued the NTA.
Persons with 245(i) application pending most likely will not be referred to Investigations, unless there is a “hit” from the computer checks. If there is a hit, most likely an NTA will issue.
Registrants currently in status, butwith past status violations, generally will not be referred to Investigations if they’ve since returned to the U.S. with the proper visa, waiver, etc. But the District does have discretion to put in proceedings anyone it feels is removable.
The District does not plan to detain out of status registrants, but reserves the discretion to do so.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

On 02/13, attorney reported that INS is not accepting certified mail/fedex receipts for adjustment applicants – they will only accept an actual INS Notice of Action.
H-1B applicants are being questioned as to whether or not they are currently working for the petitioner (as are employment based adjustment applicants) and are requested to produce a current employment letter and recent paystubs.
Attorney reported on 02/13 that New York registrant with an out-of-state driver's license will be questioned extensively as to his actual place of residence and the reason for holding an out of state license.
On 02/03, attorney reported that counsel has been allowed at Special Registration in the New York District. Attorney had had difficulty with access to counsel when cases are sent to Investigations, but after a meeting with the District Director last week, attorneys have been told that counsel will also be allowed at interviews held by Investigations.
Law firm reported on 02/19 that they have recently accompanied a number of Pakistani men for Special Registration in New York. Attorneys from the firm said that the interview process was extremely slow with numerous computer glitches and breakdowns. They also report that an individual from the Pakistani Consulate was present to provide advice to his countrymen who were not represented by counsel. Just below is some of what has been going on, particularly during the investigation part of the process when registrants are taken to the 10th floor:
- Generally, registrants have been handcuffed, and then shackled to the floor (in their seats). Meanwhile, they are questioned for hours, without an attorney present.
- Between questioning, they are placed in holding cells with other men who are being deported.
- One registrant said that he was moved from cell to cell at least three times.
- Another registrant was told by the investigator that his lawyer had given him fraudulent documents in connection with his labor certification, and that it had, in fact, never been filed. He then told the registrant that he would go to jail for 10 years for this crime. The investigator claimed that he had access to the labor department's files and that there was no record of the registrant’s case. However, law firm states that the case was filed by their attorneys, and there is no question about the authenticity of the documents.
Attorney reported on 02/12 that, all in all, the level of questioning has markedly increased from one month ago. As of 1/24/03, while attorneys do not seem to have been prevented from attending Special Registration interviews, with a few exceptions, attorneys have been kept out of Investigations interviews.
Lack of interpreters for the Special Registration interviews (as of 1/24/03): The Arab-American Family Support Center has sent over its staff to act as volunteer interpreters on a few separate dates (but cannot afford to do so on a regular basis). The AAFSC did so in response to community requests for help, not because the INS asked. AAFSC staff has usually been welcomed as volunteer interpreters but are occasionally kicked out of interviews after the interviewing officer makes a determination that the Special Registrant's English is "good" or "good enough." Attorney was called by an interpreter to file a G-28 and represent an individual after the individual's English language abilities were deemed sufficient (everything in Special Registration is happening in one big room with bank-teller style interview booths, so the interpreter could literally call out names and ask attorney to come over after she was kicked out). While attorney was at the interview, the INS officer had to ask the person 3 times "What is your date of birth?" because the individual had trouble understanding the officer's English. When AAFSC staff has not been present, INS officers sometimes call out to the waiting area to see if any would-be Special Registrant can interpret. Other INS officers feel comfortable taking sworn statements in English from Special Registrants who do not speak English
On 01/10, a group of approx. 20 Arab men were denied entry into 26 Federal Plaza to register just before the end of the deadline. Guards at the building's entrance locked the doors at 3:30 p.m. and did not permit anyone who wanted to register to enter, stating that the INS office closed at 3:30 p.m. At approx. 4:45 p.m., the INS Acting Director of Community Relations at INS HQ was contacted and advised of the situation. Within 15 minutes, the men were all guided to a side door into the INS and allowed to register. The group was accompanied in by representatives from the Arab American Family Support Network, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Coalition and a few immigration attorneys.
Enter in front and go to room 310.
Questions include names, addresses and dates of birth of parents; 2 contacts in U.S.; email address; social security number; whether you are a terrorist.
Asked to see passport, I-94, driver’s license, proof of status (employment letter; transcript, etc.)
Photo and fingerprint taken.
Registrant with pending 245(i) adjustment application detained and issued NTA.
In another case, interview went smoothly, and INS “very nice”.

Treatment of late registrants:

A Belgian citizen, who is also an Iranian national, decided after the 12/16 deadline that perhaps he is subject to registration. He went in to the NY district office on 12/20. He was asked no questions as to the late registration and everything proceeded normally.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Two cases of persons with I-140/485s on file at TSC for nearly 10 days before appearing for registration, but the INS still issued its NTA (Notice to Appear) since the registrants failed to have a receipt notice and case number to prove the filing.
Two cases of persons with US citizen wives and kids who came in with paperwork to file an I-130/485. INS did not have time to accept the application, but made time to issue Notices to Appear.
Registrant with B-2 that expires in February. Attorney sent him to register (Group I) when he went to them to file a timely extension request. He made it to INS just 3 days after the Group I registration period ended and was immediately sent into deportation even though he swore (and had attorney’s) letter that he came immediately after learning of his obligation to do so. Registrant had only been in this country for a few months, and did not speak much English. He was eventually released on his own recognizance.
District Office is calling the employers of the registrants and threatening them with sanctions if the employer allows the registrant back to work (even those with families to support and I-485s pending).
First attempted to register on 11/12, but INS office not familiar with special registration.
Attorney barred from interview.

Treatment of Late Individuals:

Lebanese citizen learns of registration requirement Monday when he shows up at work and his assistant says, "Dr. ___, have you heard about this registration thing? I saw it on the news." He checks the INS website and realizes he missed the deadline and immediately drives to INS. INS employee says, "I could take you upstairs right now and have you arrested, but I won't if you cooperate." He got a lecture, but was registered without arrest.

OMAHA, NE, INS

Office statements:

At the same January 28 interview discussed below (see under “Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences” for Omaha), attorney reports that the most interesting nugget of information came after the interview: The NSEERS agent said that if registrant adjusts prior to the registration anniversary date, he should send an AR-11SR with his FIN and the date of adjustment written on the bottom of the AR-11SR form. He said that they have been told that there is currently no other mechanism for the NSEERS system to become notified of someone's LPR status. In other words, the system tracks the failure to re-register, but has no mechanism (other than the potential of the AR-11) to track people who may not need to register anymore.
Persons out of status handled on a case-by-case basis.
Persons who are out of status but are a beneficiary of a 245(i) application, are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Persons now in status but who had previously violated status are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Persons who fail to register will be apprehended and placed in proceedings.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Attorney reports that on January 28, she attended an NSEERS interview with a Pakistani registrant who was LULAC/CSS-1 with a pending Adjustment of Status (AOS). They had been told a few weeks before that he was about 90 days from an AOS interview. The Omaha NSEERS agent did the interview and registrant was not detained. Attorney adds that the Omaha NSEERS officer was very polite, respectful and courteous. Attorney has not heard of any bad incidents since that officer took over registration.
Registrants given long interview under oath.
Questions include: last 3 addresses, parents’ names and dates of birth, names and addresses of at least 2 people from home country who are currently in the U.S.
Took credit card and bank account information.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Registrant taken into custody despite pending 245(i)-based adjustment of status application.
Eventually released and issued an NTA.

PHOENIX, AZ, INS

Office statements:

Adjustment applicants whose nonimmigrant status expired during process will be processed by Investigations and held until the computer checks clear.
Persons who are out of status will be held until a variety of checks, including the FBI 10-fingerprint check, are completed.
Late registrants will be processed by Investigations, and have to establish that they did not know about registration and failure to timely register was beyond his control.

PITTSBURGH, PA, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

On January 10, a Moroccan student out-of-status and unlawfully present because an initial B-2 extension 3+ years ago was denied as abandoned, was registered, issued an NTA, and released on recognizance. The alien had married a week before registering. His wife lives in another city and could not come in on one day's notice to sign the I-130 and be present for filing of the I-130/I-485. However, facsimile signed I-130, G-325 and I-864 forms were accepted as demonstrating sufficient equities to result in release without bond. The NTA (Notice to Appear) was mailed to the EOIR in Philadelphia the following week, but the court had not received it at the time the alien attempted to file the I-130/I-485, all properly signed. The INS Officer in Charge personally ordered refusal of the adjustment application, and when counsel pointed out that the INS still had jurisdiction, the OIC refused, citing discretionary authority to decline jurisdiction over the adjustment.
Pakistani attempted to register, but was told that even though the INS had permission to start registering the February 23 deadline group before their start date of January 13, they had been ordered by DOJ to stop. Registrant was also told that Pakistan probably will be removed from the list.

PORTLAND, OR, INS

Office statements:

INS told attorney on 2/07/03 that a pending adjustment application does not mean that you will not get arrested –it is "case by case."
Persons currently out of status will be referred to Investigations.
Section 245(i) applicants are not automatically referred to Investigations, unless there is negative information in their record.
Persons currently in status who have past violations are not referred to Investigations.
If someone is currently out of status, or has a “hit” on his record, he will be detained.
The following statement was issued by the Portland office’s Community Relations Officer on 1/7/03 (a few weeks after the statements cited above were made):
“This Friday, January 10th, 2003 is the deadline for registration for non-immigrant males who are citizens or nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, or Yemen. Over the last month we have heard concern expressed about what would happen if someone coming in to the Portland District Office for Special Registration were out of status (such as overstaying or violating the terms of their visa), entered the United States illegally, or had an outstanding warrant for their arrest from a law enforcement agency. I'd like to briefly address these concerns.

First, and foremost, immigration law is very case specific and each person's immigration situation is unique. There is no way that you can predict, based on the case of one person, how another person's case might be adjudicated or what action might be taken. The Portland District sees people each day who are out of status, who have entered illegally, and who have warrants for their arrest. Those with outstanding warrants, or who have entered illegally, are arrested and are either put into removal proceedings or are turned over to other law enforcement agencies.

When a person is out of status each case is judged on an individual basis. One of the top law enforcement priorities for the Portland District is the arrest and removal of criminal aliens - those people who have been convicted of felonies. During Fiscal Year 2002, 75% of the non-citizens who were removed from Oregon were criminals - the other 25% represented people who were non-criminals but were not legally in the United States for a variety of reasons - including being out of status.

When we encounter people who are out of status we are required to enforce the law, but we still try be sensitive to the person's unique situation. In some cases, people are arrested and put into removal proceedings. In other cases, a person might not be arrested while they resolve their problem. It is totally case specific.

We understand that the Special Registration process can be very intimidating for a person. We can assure you that the Portland District will continue to use discretion in deciding how to handle each case and will treat everyone with respect and dignity.

People coming in for Special Registration can expect an interview of about an hour done in a professional and courteous manner. The person will be interviewed one-on-one with a standard list of questions. In addition, a security check will be made to determine if the person has any outstanding wants or warrants or if they are out of status.

We will also ask questions related to what the person has been doing while in the United States, where they have been, and how long they intend to stay. The purpose is to verify that the person is who they say they are and that they are complying with the conditions of their entry.

The requirements of Special Registration are very specific. Failure to register, or not register by the deadline, could mean that the person is out of status and subject to removal proceedings. If you are required to come in for Special Registration and you are out of status, or have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you may wish to consult with an immigration attorney before coming in to register.”

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Attorney reported on 02/07/03 that his client was arrested during his attempt to comply with special registration. Registrant is married to a US citizen and has a pending one-step and I-601 waiver application, filed the week before. No criminal issues and no security hits were involved, but registrant had entered the U.S. with photo-substituted French passport on visa waiver. In addition, client had used the French name and passport to obtain Social Security card, Oregon driver’s license, employment and a couple of ATM cards. Registrant had provided all information in the pending I-601, along with a copy of his real, expired passport, birth certificate and home country ID card. INS took him into custody at the completion of the special registration, and due to the visa waiver entry refused to consider bond/release, despite the protests of the attorney. INS agreed to allow client to purchase plane ticket back to his home country, as opposed to being sent to China, which is where his in-bound flight originated.
While attorney was at INS regarding the case immediately above (2/07/03), he spoke to another individual in detention (apparently B-2 overstay) who was arrested during special registration. Registrant had come to INS with his USC wife to register and apply to adjust, but his adjustment application was rejected because his wife did not have her birth certificate. He will be on the detained docket next week.
On 01/21/03, attorney went into the local district office to register a Syrian citizen who entered the US in mid-1997 with a visitor visa. He extended his visa once, to mid-1998, but since then has remained in the US out of status. In November 2002, he married a US citizen. They arrived at INS at about 8:45, and at about 9:15 the initial registration began. During the initial registration attorney offered the opinion that registrant appeared to qualify to adjust status and that he be permitted to do so. The registering officer said she did not have authority to release registrant to apply to adjust. Initial registration was completed in about an hour, at which time two special investigators arrived and arrested registrant. Registrant was taken in handcuffs to the holding area on the first floor of the INS building. Attorney was not allowed to enter the holding area or to confer with registrant after he was there. Attorney told the investigators that registrant wanted attorney to be present and that attorney believed he had a right to do so. Attorney also explained that client appeared to qualify to adjust status and asked that they release him on his own recognizance. At about 12:00 pm, one of the investigators told attorney he intended to process client as an overstay and that the decision as to release him or not would be made by a supervisor. After several hours, at about 3:30 pm, registrant's wife and attorney were allowed to speak to registrant in the little visiting room that adjoins the holding area. While they were visiting with client, the investigator informed the attorney that client would be held on $5,000 bond. At about 4:15, the investigator showed attorney the NTA charging client as an overstay and the order committing him to the Yamhill County jail.

Treatment of late registrants:

On 01/21/03, attorney went into local district office to register Syrian citizen who entered the US in mid-1997 with a visitor visa. He extended his visa once, to mid-1998, but since then has remained in the US out of status. In November 2002, he married a US citizen. They arrived at INS at about 8:45, and at about 9:15 the initial registration began. During the initial registration attorney offered the opinion that registrant appeared to qualify to adjust status and that he be permitted to do so. The registering officer said she did not have authority to release registrant to apply to adjust. Initial registration was completed in about an hour, at which time two special investigators arrived and arrested registrant. Registrant was taken in handcuffs to the holding area on the first floor of the INS building. Attorney was not allowed to enter the holding area or to confer with registrant after he was there. Attorney told the investigators that registrant wanted attorney to be present and that attorney believed he had a right to do so. Attorney also explained that client appeared to qualify to adjust status and asked that they release him on his own recognizance. At about 12:00 pm, one of the investigators told attorney he intended to process client as an overstay and that the decision as to release him or not would be made by a supervisor. After several hours, at about 3:30 pm, registrant's wife and attorney were allowed to speak to registrant in the little visiting room that adjoins the holding area. While they were visiting with client, the investigator informed the attorney that client would be held on $5,000 bond. At about 4:15, the investigator showed attorney the NTA charging client as an overstay and the order committing him to the Yamhill County jail.
A 1/7/03 statement from the INS community affairs officer included this indication: “The requirements of Special Registration are very specific. Failure to register, or not register by the deadline, could mean that the person is out of status and subject to removal proceedings.”

SACRAMENTO, CA, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Long wait. Attorney representation allowed, but registrant’s brother not permitted in the interview.
Registrant has pending 245(i) adjustment application. Not referred to Investigations.
Registrant asked to complete questionnaire similar to Chicago airport questionnaire. Same questions asked in interview under oath.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, INS

Office statements:

On 02/18, attorney reported that at the last local AILA-INS liaison meeting, Salt Lake INS officials said INS will not initiate proceedings against an NSEERS call in registrant who has an I-485 filed but was out of status at the time the I-485 was filed.
Anyone who is out of status will be referred to Investigations.

SAN BERNADINO, CA, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

Registrant with pending labor certification application under 245(i) detained, and bond set at $2500. When he was unable to post bond, was transferred to prison facility in Lancaster, CA, then to LA. Wife given runaround when she tried to post bond; attorney told INS had no record of detainee.

SAN DIEGO, CA, INS

Office statements:

If a registrant is currently out of status, he will be referred to Investigations.
Section 245(i) applicants will be handled the same as other out of status registrants.
If an individual has past violations of status, but is now maintaining status, no other action will be taken.

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

On 12/16, more than 50 registrants were detained. Reports indicate that many of them have pending adjustment cases or other relief available.
As of 12/17, many were still in detention with no bond set.
Detainees are being transferred to San Diego from other jurisdictions.
There is a severe backlog on bond redetermination hearings for detainees. As of 12/20, hearings were being set for 1/9.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, INS

Office statements:

Office indicates that they are not arresting or detaining registrants. (But see reports of actual experiences below contradicting this.)

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

INS is refusing to give copies of questionnaires or documents filled out by special registrants to the individuals or their attorneys. After attorney insisted that copies of documents legally be given to any alien who gives the INS any statement or testimony, under (8 CFR 103.2(b) (7)), an SF INS officer called Washington, DC and was ordered not to give copies of anything in the interest of national security.
An Eritrean who had applied for asylum but after the cutoff date, appeared for Special Registration. Although he was to receive his asylum decision in the next few days, he was detained for four days, paid a bond of $5000 and put into removal proceedings because his asylum application was referred to the court.
Most registrants who were detained were released on own recognizance, or were bonded out. INS stayed open late for posting of bonds.
Two Canadian citizens born in Iran were determined not to be subject to Special Registration. One was given a stamp on his I-94 indicating that he had appeared to register. There for 5 hours, including waiting time. Asked extensive questions. Requested driver’s license, credit and medical cards. Account number taken down from ATM card. I-94 notated.
Early on, office unfamiliar with call-in registration and registrants were turned away.
Despite office’s statement that they are not arresting or detaining registrants, an Iranian who had overstayed his admission, and who has a 245(i) labor certification application pending, was detained and is being held without bond.
On 12/18, registrant with pending adjustment application, who had attempted to maintain nonimmigrant status, but encountered problems on technicalities, was detained and an NTA is being written up. No bond decision yet.
On 12/19, registrant with pending adjustment application detained for 4.5 hours, then released after background investigation.
Others seen at the same time were held longer (approx. 48 (hours).
It appears that at least some detainees are being transferred to San Diego.

Treatment of late registrants:

A national of Sudan who appeared one day late for registration on 12/19 was taken into custody. He was ultimately not subject to Registration because he was an EWI. Although he had registered for TPS in the past and had tried to register for renewed TPS, he had been given incorrect information from the INS about TPS and had in fact missed the deadline before he appeared for registration. Ultimately, he was released from detention and permitted to renew his TPS.
On 12/18, registrant with pending adjustment application, who had attempted to maintain nonimmigrant status, but encountered problems on technicalities, was detained and an NTA is being written up. No bond decision yet.
A national of Sudan who appeared for registration on 12/19 was taken into custody.

SAN JOSE, CA, INS

Reports from individuals/attorneys of actual experiences:

On 02/19, attorney reported that registrant from Egypt received notice for an appointment for his EAD and an appointment for registration immediately thereafter.
The following occurrence was reported to AILA on January 21, 2003, but took place the week before. Registrant says that he arrived at INS at around 9:50 am: “It was a mistake as one should be there around 8 a.m. so that you could be done with this process bit earlier. Anyway, after I reached there I had to stand in a line and BTW it’s t