10 Indonesians held in U.S.

10 Indonesians held in U.S.

The Indonesian government is approaching the U.S. authorities
to release 10 or more Indonesian nationals held in New Hampshire
for overstaying their visas, foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda
said on Saturday.

Hassan said in New York that the Indonesian government wanted
to make sure that the Indonesians obtained proper legal
protection.

The Indonesian nationals were arrested recently by the local
police in a rented house. The Indonesian consulate in New York
has sent officers to meet the detained Indonesians.

"We don't know yet what action the American government is
planning for these Indonesian citizens." Hassan said. Hassan
added that the arrests were unusual. Usually the American
authorities directly deported anyone who overstayed.

A local newspaper has attributed the arrest to Islam, the
religion of the Indonesians, but Hassan said he believed
overstaying was probably the only reason.-- Antara