More than 1,000 Bangladeshis left America with enormous frustration and dismay about life. These Bangladeshis, who were subjected to special registration and increased law enforcement, were undocumented aliens here.

How many Bangladeshis were really arrested during the special registration program, which ended on April 25, 2003, was not determined at press time. But many Bangladeshis had so far been released after given Notices to Appear (NTAs). According to sources across the United States, about 30 Bangladeshis were arrested so far. Most, allegedly wanted for crimes or evading orders of deportation, were later released.

Our correspondent from Atlanta, Rumi Kabir, said that last week, 13 Bangladeshis were arrested when they went to register. Of them two were released on $10,000 bail. Though the special registration deadline was April 25, the Bangladesh Mission in Washington D.C. did not issue a press release about the program’s effect on Bangladeshis.

In New York, Consul General Rafique Kahn said that the consulate had not received any information about any problems during special registration. But he did say that he had heard of arrests in New Jersey.

Last week, he again met with the New York District director for immigration, with whom he talked about cooperation for Bangladeshi immigrants. Press Minister of the UN Mission, M. Muhaddis, also attended the meeting.

As special registration began, many Bangladeshis left the United States out of fear. Several Bangladeshis, who were suffering from tremendous mental stress, were admitted to the hospital, with serious illnesses. The fear and concern about registration has not ended.

Meanwhile a good number of Bangladeshis have already left for Bangladesh, ending their expatriate life. They been suffering due to imposition of new laws everyday and increased law enforcement.

April 25 was the last day Bangladeshis could leave the country uninterrupted. The last flight of Biman Bangladesh [the Bangladeshi airline] was on Tuesday[April 22]. The flight carried 138 Bangladeshis who said goodbye to America. The departure terminal of the airport was crowded with their relatives, friends and well-wishers, who came to see them off.

As they said goodbye, many of them cried as they embraced each other. Many people observed the scene with heavy hearts. The Bangladeshis who left forever did not want to disclose their names. They think that it was a defeat that they failed to stay in America.

To this correspondent, one person said “I spent long 20 years in America. I tried my best to be legal in this country. We are returning with empty hands despite the fact that we have spent our golden days and out youth in this country. What is more painful then this? What we can do in our country [now], at such a time of our lives?”

Rashedul Huq, a Bangladeshi, said, “The attraction of American glamour was like [that of] a prohibited world. But it turned out to be a mirage, when we went to have a dip in it. I have spent eight years of my life behind this golden door. But now I think that everything is fake. Everything is false. So we stepped in quicksand of cheating. I am leaving now. But I don't known what I would do in Bangladesh. Despite all these things, the United Sates still beckons us. Some of its attractions still stand. But I have come undone before the hard reality of life. I am leaving, leaving behind everything. I wish to say ‘friend, goodbye, goodbye America.’”

The stories of who were seen at the JFK airport are more or less same.

Meanwhile many human rights organizations called the Bush administration’s special registration program discriminatory and a violation of human rights. These human rights workers observed and monitored the situation inside Federal Plaza.

Leaders of the voluntary organizations, stood in front of 26 Federal Plaza during registration. Volunteers of Muslim Public Affairs Council led by Russa and Turra observed the situation there. They told Bangla Patrika that of the citizens from special registration countries, one in five was detained. “We are interviewing those who were entering for registration. We are getting many stories of clear violation of human rights,” they said.

“We think that the registration program is itself a discriminatory and repressive law. If it is not discriminatory, why, with the exception of North Korea, are only all the Muslim countries nationals required to undergo special registration?” Besides, Russa and Turra said that immigration authorities asked questions like: “How many times do you go to mosque for prayer?” “How do you pray to Allah?” “Is it determined by Allah to kill others?” They said that these types of questions were not supposed to be asked by the immigration officers, and these questions are racially biased.

Another volunteer, Catherine, describing her experience at the Arlington, Va., immigration services office said during the period of registration many immigrant had been subjected to repressive behavior.

One Pakistani was taken to detention from the immigration office. Though there was a separate detention cell for violators of immigration laws, he was kept in the common jail with criminals who may have been involved in serious or violent crimes. Though the man made his religious restrictions clear, he said he was asked to bathe totally naked with other prisoners. He also said that he was served pork during their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Though turkey was served during dinner there was pork too. Russa and Turra said, “We think that all above-mentioned things are violations of human rights.”

However, immigration officials said that special registration had been tremendously successful in terms of tracking immigrants.

Meanwhile, one Alam Miah was arrested on the last day of registration. Once he did not turn up, his roommate, Abul Kalam, began to wonder whether something had happened to him. Later, he got his message on the answering machine. Kalam said, “Two and a half years ago, Alam Miah came to this country after disposing of all his property in Bangladesh. He overstayed [his visa] in this country. He got a job in a restaurant.” When Abul Kalam went to a Bangladeshi attorney, the attorney took a $50 consultation fee and told Kalam there was nothing he could do.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Consul General said that those who received NTAs would be given assistance by an attorney.

This article was written as part of the Ethnic Press Fellowship of the Independent Press Association-New York.