FBI, INS question Pakistani nationals in Atlanta, other cities

WASHINGTON - About five dozen Pakistani nationals were interrogated in several cities across the nation in an FBI and Immigration and Naturalization Service sweep meant to uncover illegal immigrants, a law enforcement official said Thursday. <br> <br> INS agents arrested 19 people, including several Pakistanis, in metro Atlanta. <br> <br> W. Fred Alexander, INS deputy director in Atlanta, said the 19 arrested in Georgia were accused of being in the United States illegally and probably will be placed for deportation proceedings. <br> <br> The operation was conducted Wednesday at malls in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Atlanta, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The sweep targeted stores operated by Pakistanis. <br> <br> The official said some of those interviewed were detained, declining to specify how many. The official also refused to say if the sweep was related to terrorism. <br> <br> In a court filing, the Justice Department has said 74 people detained as part of the Sept. 11 investigation are being held on immigration-related charges and are in the custody of INS. <br> <br> The government has refused to identify those detainees or specify where they are being held.