News21 A Journalism Initiative of the Carnegie and Knight Foundations

Project Banner

USC Immigration

The United States is a country of immigrants. Even so, the debate over immigration has never been so intense. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, concerns about securing borders and screening immigrants have dramatically escalated. The in-depth coverage from the University of Southern California looks at how both people and policy have been impacted. The USC News21 Fellows and Faculty also wish to thank California Connected (KCET) and Christina Wu for extra footage used in our stories, Lee Warner for Editing Assistance and Scott Shulman for Camera Assistance.

Chuck Bitar's Story

Thousands of Middle Eastern men were rounded up and registered after 9/11. One of them tells his story to News21.
By William Etling, Diana Day, August 4, 2006

The National Security Entry and Exit Registration System (NSEERS) was created a year after 9/11 to create a record of men from specific countries.

Those countries included Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Libya, among others.

In West Covina, Syrian-born car salesman Chaker "Chuck" Bitar voluntarily went and registered. He had an immigration attorney and a pending case to adjust his status in the U.S.

It was the beginning of an ordeal for Bitar. Watch the video below.

Blog Reactions

See all results ...

Meta