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Supporting communities affected by INS special registration (2002-2003)

Towards the end of 2002, the INS introduced Special Registration (NSEERS), a program requiring immigrant men and boys from primarily Muslim countries to register, get fingerprinted, interrogated and photographed at INS locations across the country. Thousands of immigrants were affected in the Bay Area, including men and boys from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Around this dangerous scenario for members of the community, ASATA engaged in a massive campaign to directly support affected communities, while working with advocates to campaign for immigrant rights, and successfully shut down the program.

Our actions:

  • Developed broad-based coalitions with community and immigrant advocacy groups
  • Kept abreast of a highly confusing, rapidly changing situation with the help of allies and community members
  • Developed legal rights educational pamphlets, widely used by allies and community members
  • Distributed legal rights educational pamphlets to a wide array of venues and organizations
  • Held free legal clinics for those unable to afford an immigration attorney
  • Conducted in-person outreach to apprise those affected of their rights, at community spaces, places of worship, etc.
  • Monitored INS facilities in San Francisco and San Jose to maintain a log of special registrants, inform family members in cases of detentions, provide support and legal advice to those about to register, and observe INS officials during the process

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