Justice Dept. Announces Plan to Interview 5,000 Men

IMMIGRATION LAW & POLICY

Arrest and Detention

JUSTICE DEPT. ANNOUNCES PLAN TO INTERVIEW 5,000 MEN
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 15, No. 8, Dec. 20, 2001

On Nov. 13, 2001, the U.S. Dept. of Justice (DOJ) announced plans to interview 5,000 men from countries where terrorist groups are active. The men to be questioned are between the ages of 18 and 33 and arrived in the U.S. since January 2000 as students or visitors. The DOJ insisted that these interviews would be voluntary. The interviews will be coordinated through the Anti-terrorism Task Forces in each of the U.S. attorney districts and involve the assistance of local law enforcement officials. Although DOJ officials declined to identify the countries in question, the list of 5000 men contains names mostly of apparent Middle Eastern origin.

The DOJ also announced plans to reward noncitizens who offer information that helps the Federal Bureau of Investigation apprehend terrorists or thwart attacks. Attorney General John Ashcroft offered "S" visas to individuals who assist in such investigations. S visas are available to noncitizens who provide useful and reliable information in criminal investigations. Individuals who obtain such visas may remain in the U.S. for up to three years and thereafter apply to become permanent residents. In a later development, the INS stated that where officials encounter individuals whom it suspects to be in violation of their immigration status, they must refer those cases to the INS.

In issuing its plan to interview the 5,000 men, the DOJ instructed U.S. attorneys on how to conduct interviews of the men. Federal prosecutors and local law enforcement agencies providing assistance are directed to inquire about the following:

Telephone numbers used by them and their families or close associates.
Residences they have used since their arrival in the country.
Foreign travel they have engaged in.
What foreign countries they have visited and the dates of such visits, including any trips to Afghanistan.
Reasons for their visit to the U.S. If they are here on a student visa, officials are directed to ask about their studies and future plans. If they are here as a tourist, officials must ask about the cities, landmarks, and other sites they have visited or plan to visit. Officials should also ask when they plan to leave the U.S. and where they plan to go. The purpose of any trips they have made outside the U.S. since their entry should also be asked about.
Knowledge of events of September 11. Officials must ask about their knowledge concerning the September 11 attacks and about how they felt when they heard the news.
Involvement in terrorism. Officials must ask whether they know anybody who had any involvement in advocating, planning, supporting, or committing terrorist activities and whether they have ever had any personal involvement in such activities.
Knowledge of weapons. Officials are also required to ask them whether they or anybody they know has access to guns or any explosives or harmful chemical compounds and whether they have any training in the development or use of such weapons. They should also be asked if they know of anyone who is capable of developing any biological or chemical weapons, such as anthrax.