1,901 illegal RI migrants face deportation from U.S.

1,901 illegal RI migrants face deportation from U.S.

NEW YORK, U.S. (JP): A total of 1,901 illegal Indonesian
migrants in the United States are facing deportation for failing
to present complete immigration documents.

Out of 12,310 Indonesians who have registered at the
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), 1,901 are currently
awaiting their court processes, information chief of the
Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C. Soehardjono Sastromihardjo
told Antara on Tuesday, local time.

The INS had summoned them to appear in court, he said.

"I don't know when they will be deported. They must wait for
the court's decision, including the 62 Indonesians who are in
jail," he said.

The 62 were detained when they appeared at INS offices, but no
official explanation has been given as to why they were
immediately detained, while others were given a summons to appear
in court.

According to immigration lawyers representing several of the
migrants, the Indonesians were detained because they had criminal
records, which include minor violations such as failing to pay
traffic fines.

The Indonesian Embassy and Consulate offices have said they
could not do more to help those facing deportation, except to
provide them translation services when they appeared in court.

Indonesia is one of 25 predominantly Muslim countries whose
male citizens have been required to register with the INS. Men
from other countries, mostly Arab and Middle Eastern nations,
registered earlier this year.