Department of Homeland Security Suspends
Some Aspects of the “Special Registration” Program

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended the requirement that certain non-immigrants subject to the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) appear for a 30-day and/or annual re-registration interview.

The new rule also allows for the following:

•  In its discretion, DHS will notify individual foreign nationals of future registration requirements.

•  Nonimmigrant aliens subject to special registration who are also enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) do not need to separately inform DHS of change in address or change in educational institution.

•  Foreign national crewmen are not subject to departure requirements.

•  Foreign nationals subject to NSEERS registration may apply for relief from registration departure requirements.

Certain visitors from countries that have been identified as subject to NSEERS may still be registered at their time of arrival at U.S. ports-of-entry. However, foreign nationals will not be required to report for an interview within 30 days as previously required unless specified to do so by DHS.

Requirements Under NSEERS implemented in 2002

As part of the ongoing development of post-“September 11 ” security regulations, U.S. immigration agencies issued a series of notices that required foreign nationals of certain countries to personally appear before, register with, and provide requested information to the local Citizenship and Immigration Services office by a certain date. Persons subject to Special Registration (whether through registration at the time of entry or through the call-in requirements for persons already in the U.S.) had similar obligations to:

•  Re-register each year within 10 days of the anniversary of the initial registration (that is, within plus- or minus-10 days of the original registration).

•  Report any change of job, school or employment within 10 days of such change (using form AR-11 SR).

•  When departing the U.S., depart through one of the designated ports-of-departure for Special Registrants and report in person to the immigration authorities.

The NSEERS domestic registration program include citizens or nationals from Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

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