US Embassy: RP not on terror watchlist

The United States Embassy in Manila said yesterday that the US Immigration and Naturalization Service has not issued any guidelines requiring Filipino tourists and immigrants to periodically report to the INS, since the Philippines is not on the US terrorist watchlist.

US Embassy spokewoman Karen Kelley said the INS does not require Filipino nationals in the US to periodically report their movement and travel outside the country as a measure for the immediate reporting and arrest of suspected terrorists.

"We have nothing to indicate that the Philippines is on any watchlist," Kelley said.

She explained that only green-card holders or immigrants have been the subject of existing INS guidelines that require these people to report their movement within US territory and to other countries to the INS.

Despite this, Kelly added she is "unaware of any post-Sept. 11 changes (that include) the requirement that tourists and immigrants should report their presence in the US."

The INS stepped up its campaign to deport illegal migrants in the US as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York City and Washington DC.

Some 62 Filipinos were apprehended on different dates from various places in the US and deported to the Philippines last June for overstaying and violating US laws.

The INS said deportees have been served with final orders of deportation, issued either administratively by the INS, or by a criminal court. However, because a number of them have not complied with the order for deportation, or have absconded, they made it to the Absconder’s Apprehension List.