WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Immigration and Naturalization
Service Commissioner James Ziglar released the following
statement encouraging undocumented aliens who may have lost
friends or family in the New York City terrorist attack to
contact local authorities without fear of INS attempting to
acquire or use that information for immigration purposes:
All of us in the INS family have been deeply shocked and
saddened by the terrible loss of life and destruction in New
York. We are committed to supporting the rescue and
recovery efforts taking place at the World Trade Center.
We have heard disturbing reports that some people whose loved
ones are missing have not come forward because of immigration
issues. We cannot let that happen. It is crucial
that local authorities get the help they need in identifying
victims and the missing. I want to personally urge the
immigrant community to come forward, and assure everyone that
INS will not seek immigration status information provided to
local authorities in the rescue and recovery efforts.
INS
