Illegal RI migrants face U.S. deportation

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.