Location: Newark, NJ
Time of Arrival: 7:30am
Date: Jan 15^th, 2003

I appeared for registration at the local Immigration and Naturalization office as per the new regulations. I would like to share my experience with other Pakistanis who are required to register with the INS, who somehow are reluctant and afraid to appear before the immigration authorities due to stories which have appeared in the Press. At the reception, my passport was taken, and a questionnaire asking personal details was handed over to me. The questions pertained to name; date of birth; country of birth; country of nationality, parent's names; parent's date of birth; permanent address; address in the United States; drivers license number; credit card number; e mail address and phone/fax numbers. Subsequently, my immigration papers were also taken from me, probably for verification. After a while, l was called for the interview by the immigration officer, who acted professionally, and asked questions about the information l had given out in the above questionnaire. I was also finger printed and photographed. The whole process was over in 30 minutes. I did not feel uncomfortable during any stage of the interview. It is my advice to fellow Pakistanis to go ahead and get them selves registered as soon as possible, and not wait for the outcome of the Foreign Minister's meeting with the Secretary of State. It is highly unlikely that Pakistan's name will be removed from the list of countries whose citizens are required to have themselves registered. If any person feels that they have committed visa violations they should consult an immigration attorney so they are guided properly. Not consulting an attorney, if one is unsure of their status, would save few dollars but might land them in detention or jail.