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Consular Notification and Access, January 1998

Part Four: Translations of Suggested Statements to be Made to Foreign Nationals to be Arrested or Detained

How To Use the Translations

There appear below, in 13 different languages commonly used by foreign nationals in the United States, statements that can be shown to a foreign national who has been arrested or detained and who does not understand English. There are two statements for each foreign language, which are shown below in English and on the following pages in translation. Statement 1 is for use if consular notification is at the foreign national's discretion, and Statement 2 for use if consular notification is mandatory. These statements are the same as Statement 1 and Statement 2 on page 7 of this booklet, except that Statement 1 includes an additional sentence asking the foreign national to circle "yes" or "no" to indicate whether consular notification should be made. The words "yes" and "no" then appear in both the foreign language and in English, to help minimize the possibility of any misunderstanding between the federal, state, or local government officials and the foreign national. The additional language is shown in italics in Statement 1 as it appears in English below.

Statement 1: When Consular Notification Is at the Foreign National's Option

As a non-U.S. citizen who is being arrested or detained, you are entitled to have us notify your country's consular representatives here in the United States. A consular official from your country may be able to help you obtain legal counsel, and may contact your family and visit you in detention, among other things. If you want us to notify your country's consular officials, you can request this notification now, or at any time in the future. After your consular officials are notified, they may call or visit you. Do you want us to notify your country's consular officials? Please circle "yes" or "no."

Yes (in foreign language)/Yes (in English) No (in foreign language)/No (in English)

Statement 2: When Consular Notification Is Mandatory

Because of your nationality, we are required to notify your country's consular representatives here in the United States that you have been arrested or detained. After your consular officials are notified, they may call or visit you. You are not required to accept their assistance, but they may be able to help you obtain legal counsel and may contact your family and visit you in detention, among other things. We will be notifying your country's consular officials as soon as possible. Please circle "yes" or "no."

Yes (in foreign language)/Yes (in English) No (in foreign language)/No (in English)

Arabic-part 1, part 2
Chinese-part1, part 2
Farsi-part 1, part 2
French
German-part 1, part 2
Italian-part 1, part 2
Japanese
Korean-part 1, part 2
Polish-part 1, part 2
Portuguese-part 1, part 2
Russian-part 1, part 2
Spanish-part 1, part 2
Vietnamese

Contunue: Part 5

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