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VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION TO BE SHARED WITH FBI, POLICE
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
In a continuing effort to combat terrorism, all
information contained in visa applications will soon be shared
with law enforcement agencies all over the United States, through
a massive computer system link-up of various security and enforcement
offices nationwide. The link-up is expected to be operational
by March 2003.
Once the link-up becomes operational, law enforcement
officials across the country will have access to a database of
50 million overseas applications for U.S. visas, providing personal
information, such as the visa applicant's home address, date of
birth, passport number and names of relatives in the U.S., and
will include the photographs of over 20 million people. It will
allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law
enforcement agencies to immediately make a background check on
the applicant, to stop terrorist and criminal suspects from entering
the country, and to monitor movements of suspected visa holders
and applicants.
The computer link-up is part of the ongoing efforts
of federal authorities to beef up the security of the United States
in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The key component of the system is the State Dept.’s huge
visa database of visa applicants. Before, that visa information
was shared only with INS. Now, other law enforcement agencies
will have access to that information.
Federal authorities have imposed similar security
measures to tighten up national security, such as requiring airlines
to send passenger information to federal authorities prior to
arrivals or departures of international flights, requiring nationals
from certain countries to register with the Immigration and Naturalization
Service, and requiring immigrants and visa holders to report changes
of address, etc.
The new security requirements have sent jitters
to immigrant communities and have raised concerns from civil rights
organizations. Understandably, the new security rules are alarming
many illegal immigrants and many TNTs (tago ng tago), because
the new policies make it more difficult for illegal immigrants
to “hide” from authorities, and make it easier for
authorities to track them down.
Federal authorities are initiating all these tight
security measures to deter terrorists from entering the United
States and from conducting terrorist activities. But those measures
provide personal data and photos of millions of other visa applicants
to law enforcement agencies.
The one sure way to “protect” yourself
if you are in the U.S. and are out of status is to legalize your
status. But you have to make a firm decision to do something about
it now. I suggest you consult with a reputable attorney, to help
you analyze your situation and propose possible solutions to your
immigration problem.
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