VTMBH Article: Body
This year, the number of Bangladeshis who intended to visit their native country on the occasion of the Eid Festival was less than previous years. Restrictions at the airports and the economic recession are said to be the major reasons people were discouraged from visiting their home country. This information was gathered from travel agents and immigration attorneys.
According to available reports, in other years, immigrants in the United States on various visas, used to apply for visas earlier to visit their home country to observe the Eid Festival, the greatest festival of the Muslims after Ramadan, the month of fasting.
In the past, many people went to their home country and duly returned after observing Eid. But after September 11th, many people, who had traveled to their native country even with a visa, faced problems returning to the United States. Quite a good number of such visitors have been sent back to Bangladesh from different U.S. airports on the next flight out, or after being held at a detention center for few days.
Immigration attorneys advise those who have already applied for status based on marriage or work certification, but have not yet settled the issue, or those who have been granted political asylum, but have not yet received their green card, to refrain from visiting their home country until their case is settled.
But there are not many problems for those who are here on the Certificate of Special Studies program or for programs with the League of United Latin American Citizens. Many people who have applied under the Schools Around the World program, and returned on weekend, also faced a lot of problems because many of the immigration officials working at different airports were not aware of the program. During weekends, when the INS office is closed, the official working at the airport failed to obtain necessary permission from INS authorities. Many of those returning from their home countries have faced problems of detention at the airport.
According to available reports, in other years, immigrants in the United States on various visas, used to apply for visas earlier to visit their home country to observe the Eid Festival, the greatest festival of the Muslims after Ramadan, the month of fasting.
In the past, many people went to their home country and duly returned after observing Eid. But after September 11th, many people, who had traveled to their native country even with a visa, faced problems returning to the United States. Quite a good number of such visitors have been sent back to Bangladesh from different U.S. airports on the next flight out, or after being held at a detention center for few days.
Immigration attorneys advise those who have already applied for status based on marriage or work certification, but have not yet settled the issue, or those who have been granted political asylum, but have not yet received their green card, to refrain from visiting their home country until their case is settled.
But there are not many problems for those who are here on the Certificate of Special Studies program or for programs with the League of United Latin American Citizens. Many people who have applied under the Schools Around the World program, and returned on weekend, also faced a lot of problems because many of the immigration officials working at different airports were not aware of the program. During weekends, when the INS office is closed, the official working at the airport failed to obtain necessary permission from INS authorities. Many of those returning from their home countries have faced problems of detention at the airport.