Strangers in a foreign land come together for a meeting they would never have expected in the United States before September 11th. Arab nationals gathered to ask questions about the nation's newest immigration policies. Mohammad Salahuddin, a student from Pakistan, made a point of attending, "I was a bit uncomfortable because of all of the hassle you have to go through."

As a result of 9-11, Salahuddin, along with millions of other foreign visitors, has to be registered with Immigration and Naturalization Services. It's all a part of a program called "Special Call-in Regsitration." "I wouldn't say it was unfair because of what US has gone through...I think it's fair on their part, but being unfair to us is all the hassle for all the trouble you have to go through," Salahuddin says.

The registration started in mid November. It asks temporary US residents to check-in during specific time periods according to their nationality. The whole process requires making a two hour trip to Detroit to meet with an INS officer, showing documentation, getting fingerprinted, and photographed. All of that information becomes a part of a national registry. But, some argue this "tracking" is actually racial profiling, "most people look at the registration process as sort of like a pinpointing that you could be held responsible for all this stuff," adds Zille Huma Kamal, another Pakastani student. That's why Kalamazoo's American Arab Anti-discrimination Committee sponsored this meeting, and most came away with their questions answered. "It was informative because I wasn't really clear about what to do," Salahuddin says.

If you have any questions about these requirements, there is a number to call for help. Just contact Hiawatha Greene-Janvier, the Community Relations Officer, at (313) 568-6072.