US asked not to harass Bangladeshis at entry ports

Bangladesh envoy to the US has asked the immigration authorities not to harass Bangladeshi arrivals at US ports of entry.

Ambassador Syed Hasan Ahmad during a meeting with Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) Michael Garcia mentioned a specific case in which the US immigration had cancelled the multiple visa of a Bangladeshi student on his return after vacation.

He had already completed six semesters as an undergraduate in an American university and was interrogated by the immigration officials from 4:00pm to 1:30am before cancelling his visa without giving any reason.

The US immigration officers at the ports of entry enjoy immense discretionary powers and as such could be advised to be considerate, the ambassador said.

This might ensure that Bangladeshi registrants who do not have any criminal charges are not subjected to harassment, he stressed.

"A man should not be penalised for overstaying his visa period," the ambassador said. "Those without adequate papers should also be granted an extended amnesty if they have no criminal records."

During the meeting, the ambassador told the INS commissioner that the US administration often cited Bangladesh as a role model for moderate Muslim democracy. So Bangladesh should not be on the list of the countries requiring special registration.

He also said Bangladesh understand and share the US concern for national security.

The US decision to include Bangladesh in the list of countries subject to "special registration" of its citizens has sent shock waves through the Bangladeshi community in the US, Hasan Ahmad said.

The INS Commissioner assured the ambassador of all cooperation from his office to lessen the problems associated with special registration requirements by non-immigrant male citizens of Bangladesh in the USA.

Counsel to the Attorney General Paul Laad, Counsel to the INS Commissioner Robert Money, Director of the Entry-Exit Programme and INS Community Relations Officer Anna Hinkel were present during the meeting.