Voice Your Concern on Proposals to Tourist Stays
Posted Apr 19, 2002

MurthyBulletin subscribers received a NewsFlash on April 11, 2002 regarding significant changes in the student visa program and proposed changes to the tourist visa program. Our NewsFlash, entitled Major Changes for Students and Visitors, explained these issues in detail and is available on MurthyDotCom. As expected, following release of that article, many of our readers reacted with serious concerns, particularly regarding to the proposed changes to the tourist visa program. 

For those who wish to review the actual Federal Register announcements on both the student and tourist matters, these documents are available online <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html>. They can be located in a search by selecting "Federal Register 2002, Volume 67," checking the boxes for "final rules and regulations" and "proposed rules," date range from "04/12/2002" to "04/12/2002," and the search term "immigration." Click "Submit." The two issues should come up as, (fr12ap02R) Requiring Change of Status From B to F-1 or M-1 Nonimmigrant and (fr12ap02P) Limiting the Period of Admission for B Nonimmigrant Aliens. The information in the announcement comports precisely with that provided in our NewsFlash.

Many clients of The Law Office of Sheela Murthy and other MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom readers have asked us how to voice their concerns on this proposed regulation that would limit the standard stay on a tourist for pleasure visa. Of particular concern to most of those from whom we have heard, is aging parents abroad. The Federal Register announcement directs written comments to:

Director
Regulations and Forms Services Division
Immigration and Naturalization Service
425 I Street, NW, Room 4034
Washington, DC  20536

(Note : The street name is the letter I, not number 1 (one); to avoid confusion, people often spell it out as "Eye.")

In order to ensure proper handling, please reference the INS No. 2176-01 on your correspondence. Comments may also be submitted electronically to the Service at <insregs@usdoj.gov>. Electronic comments must include "INS No. 2176-01" in the subject line. Written comments on this issue must be received on or before May 13, 2002.

The written comment procedure is the appropriate method for voicing opinions on regulations. We ask that our readers refrain from making calls to the INS on this subject. Telephone calls will not affect the ultimate decision on the regulation and may only serve to bog down offices that are already very busy.

Our readers should also consider writing their Representatives or Senators. Even the voices of non-citizens can be heard. Elected officials care about the opinions of resident aliens, who may also be business owners and taxpayers, and could someday become voting citizens. One can locate the names and office addresses for the officials from each state and district by searching the U.S. Senate WebSite and the U.S. House of Representatives WebSite.

There is no required format for sending comments. Those who want to share their concerns should clearly state them in a simple letter. As a basic format, the following example may be helpful:

-------

Dear [INS or name of Senator / Representative in your state]:

I am writing in regard to the proposed Immigration and Naturalization Service regulation, published on April 12, 2002 (INS No. 2176-01). This proposed regulation will reduce the standard time allowed for persons on tourist visas from six months to one month.

I understand and strongly support the U.S. need for greater security at this time and that it must protect its borders. However, I would like to have the INS consider the special situation of aging parents who wish to visit their children and other relatives in the U.S. for extended time periods. This close, extended family connection is common in [name of country], where I was born. I know many other people who are in the same situation who have regularly had their parents visit for several months at a time.

[Explain why, in your case, the parents cannot travel frequently. Explain why it is so important for them to be with you.] [Explain why your parents are not a danger to the U.S.] [Add anything else you think is helpful.]

For these reasons, I think that the provision should be [more liberal / eliminated / changed] with respect to aging parents. I would respectfully suggest that a better solution would be to [put in your suggestion.]

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

Respectfully,

[Your name]