:: Wog Blog ::

:: WHAT AM I THINKING ABOUT? ::

:: Friday 17 January 2003 ::

Well, they would say that wouldn't they

Men and boys from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and Kuwait are the latest nationals to be added to a list of foreign visitors who must register and be fingerprinted by the United States Government under a controversial anti-terrorism program.

The new list brought angry responses from Egypt and Indonesia, allies of the US in its "war on terrorism".

An Egyptian embassy spokesman said: "We understand very well the security concerns after 9/11 yet we believe that profiling based on nationality or faith will in no way enhance security."
...
The registration, which applies to males of 16 years and over, has been criticised by Arab and immigration groups who say Middle Eastern men are unfairly targeted.

Oh, you guys are targeted, alright. But it is fair and square.

To put it correctly: males over the age of 16 from Bangladesh, Jordon, Kuwait, Indonesia, and Egypt, together with men over the age of 16 from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen, who are living in the US without authority or on temporary authority must present to have fingerprints taken, authorisation checked and identification generally determined.

Those who have been convicted of criminal acts while on their temporary visas get deported. Those with irregularities in their authorisations get checked out - and either deported or the authorisation is confirmed. Those with no authority to be in the US get deported. Good.

The fact this is happening is evidence that the US Deptartment of Naturalisation and Immigration has not been on top of things in the past (understatement, I know, I know). But the US govt is getting it together now.

When is this gonna happen in Oz? And the UK? and Italy?

How could you be in government and not want to check all the folks in your country from those countries who have not become citizens of your country? In 2003? How could you not?

:: WB 10:57 pm [link+] ::