INS Supports World Trade Center Recovery Efforts...

IMMIGRATION LAW & POLICY

Arrest and Detention

INS SUPPORTS WORLD TRADE CENTER RECOVERY EFFORTS BY PLEDGING NOT TO SEEK OR USE IMMIGRATION INFORMATION PROVIDED TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 15, No. 6, Oct. 8, 2001

Among the thousands of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center in New York City were many hundreds of immigrants. According to press reports, the missing and dead include nationals of at least 60 countries. Recognizing that victims of the disaster and their family members include undocumented immigrants and that the family members may be deterred from coming forward by fears of deportation, Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner James Ziglar has issued a statement to give assurance that the INS will not arrest or detain immigrants seeking information about missing persons and will not seek or use immigration information provided to local authorities.

On Sept. 21, Ziglar stated: "All of us in the INS family have been deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible loss of life and destruction in New York. We are committed to supporting the rescue and recovery efforts taking place at the World Trade Center. We have heard disturbing reports that some people whose loved ones are missing have not come forward because of immigration issues. We cannot let that happen. It is crucial that local authorities get the help they need in identifying victims and the missing. I want to personally urge the immigrant community to come forward, and assure everyone that INS will not seek immigration status information provided to local authorities in the rescue and recovery efforts."