[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47692-47693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23960]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service
[INS No. 1866-97]


New York District Advisory Council on Immigration Matters

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice establishes a District Advisory Council on 
Immigration Matters (DACOIM) to provide recommendations to the New York 
District Director on ways to improve the response and reaction to 
customers in the local jurisdiction. The

[[Page 47693]]

DACOIM will also seek to increase cooperative opportunities by serving 
as a community base for anchoring outreach activities and education, in 
order to strengthen the relationship between the Service and all 
members of the community.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hiwatha Greene-Janvier, Community 
Relations Officer, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 26 Federal 
Plaza, Room 14-100, New York, New York 10278. Telephone: (212) 264-
0736.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2 (1972), and 41 CFR 101-6.1001-6.1035 (1992), the 
DACOIM is established with the concurrence of the Commissioner, 
Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Attorney General.

Background

    The establishment of the DACOIM is in response to an increase in 
the overall immigrant population of all fourteen counties in the New 
York District. The mass settlement of new immigrants seeking Service 
benefits is immersed into an existing atmosphere of misconceptions and 
mistrust, which has caused an increase in tension between the immigrant 
and non-immigrant communities. Establishment of this advisory council 
is intended to eliminate any misconceptions and mistrust while trying 
to build and maintain a good relationship with all members of the 
community. The DACOIM will also serve to enhance public confidence in 
immigration policy and procedures and demonstrate the Service's 
commitment to strengthen the New York District's response time to 
immigration matters and enhance communications with all sources.

Purpose

    The DACOIM is authorized by the Attorney General to (1) assess New 
York District policies and procedures that impact customer service, (2) 
analyze and recommend improvements as needed, (3) serve as a community 
base for anchoring outreach activities and education, and (4) establish 
mechanisms to assess tension and control rumors.

Membership

    The DACOIM will be composed of fifteen voting members who will be 
appointed by the District Director. Six of these members shall be 
representatives from the Department of Justice, Immigration and 
Naturalization Service, New York District. The remaining nine members 
shall be private citizens representing organizations who reflect 
balanced perspectives and interests regarding immigration and 
naturalization matters and community relations. In addition, the DACOIM 
will be comprised of two non-voting members, as follows: a Consular or 
Embassy official, representing the Society of Foreign Consuls, who will 
serve in a permanent advisory capacity to the DACOIM, and a 
representative designated by the Commissioner, Immigration and 
Naturalization Service. This composition will attain a balanced 
membership.
    The DACOIM will function solely as an advisory body in compliance 
with the provision of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Its charter 
has been filed and approved, in accordance with the provisions of the 
Act.

    Dated: September 4, 1997.
Doris Meissner,
Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 97-23960 Filed 9-9-97; 8:45 am]
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