INS Will Not Use Information Against WTC Victims' Families

October 5, 2001

INS Commissioner James Ziglar Visits New York City To Encourage Employers, Undocumented Aliens to Contact Authorities

NEW YORK – Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Commissioner James Ziglar visited New York today and met with INS employees and New York City officials. Ziglar reiterated his call for undocumented aliens and employers who have lost friends, family members or employees in the terrorist attack to contact local authorities:

“All of us in the INS family have been deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible loss of life and destruction in New York. We are fully committed to the recovery efforts. We continue to be concerned that some people or employers whose loved ones or workers are missing have not come forward because of immigration issues. We cannot let that happen. It is crucial that local authorities get the help they need in identifying victims and the missing. I want to personally urge the immigrant community to come forward, and assure everyone that INS will not seek, and local authorities will not divulge, any information provided in the rescue and recovery effort.”

Ziglar is visiting New York to meet with INS employees who were evacuated from their offices at 26 Federal Plaza on Sept. 11 and to thank them for their efforts in resuming their services under difficult circumstances. He is also meeting with nongovernmental organizations active in immigrant communities throughout New York, enlisting their aid in encouraging undocumented aliens who have friends and loved ones missing to come forward and report information to local authorities.

– INS –