Consequences of September 11th
Posted Sep 28, 2001

As a result of the recent tragedy of September 11, 2001, we at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy have received many inquiries about possible effects on immigrants in the U.S. Our clients and others have expressed concerns about INS’ handling of cases, nonimmigrant and immigrant visa processing at Consulates, interrogations when flying within the U.S. and when departing the U.S., problems at ports of entry, etc.

In the September 21, 2001 edition of the MurthyBulletin we addressed some of the government processing issues in an article entitled, Federal Agencies' Response to Events of Sept. 11, 2001. We also included an article on the dangers of ethnic profiling, entitled America : Our Diversity is Our Strength.

MurthyBulletin subscribers also received a September 26, 2001 NewsFlash item entitled, Travel Advisory for Foreign Nationals – Update, which addresses the importance of carrying certain immigration documents while traveling. In that NewsFlash, we included a request from the INS Commissioner that persons with missing friends and relatives from the WTC please come forward without fear, even if they are not in legal status, since INS would not ask the local authorities for their immigration status information.

As each day progresses, in the aftermath of the tragedy of September 11^th, there are additional developments, both in terms of governmental responses and incidents we hear about from many of you, which we want to share with our MurthyBulletin readers.

Therefore, in our continuing effort to gather the latest information and provide it to our readers in a timely manner, we have decided to publish this Special Edition to address many of your concerns. In the current climate, where rumors are flying around the Internet and around workplaces and towns, it is vitally important to provide you with accurate information.

In this special issue we discuss the further efforts of various federal agencies to respond to the situation. We provide articles on INS, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and U.S. Consulates worldwide. We also discuss a troubling legislative proposal that would give INS sweeping new powers to deport foreign nationals on suspicion of terrorism, without access to hearings or a review of the evidence against them.

As Americans, whether U.S. citizens or aspiring to become citizens of this great nation, we are all extremely troubled by the events of September 11, 2001 and the aftermath. President Bush declared a national emergency on September 23, 2001, which gives the federal government certain powers to respond to this national crisis. We all need to be watchful and careful to protect our freedoms in this democracy while also cooperating with authorities to ensure our safety and that of all Americans.

~ Sheela Murthy