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December 2, 2003 - The U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) arm of the Department of Homeland Security
today announced that it was suspending the 30-day and annual
interview (reporting) requirements for individuals subject
to the DHS Special Registration (NSEERS) program. This means
that individuals who were previously registered, either at
a port of entry or under the "call-in" registration
program initiated a year ago, are no longer required to report
for either the 30-day or annual interviews. Before this change
was announced, all individuals registered under NSEERS were
required to re-register after thirty days if initially registered
at a port-of-entry, and annually if remaining in the United
States for more than one year after initial registration.
The Special Registration (NSEERS) program primarily affects
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. DHS reported that to date, individuals
from more than 150 countries have been registered in the NSEERS
program.
The amended rule includes the following clarifications:
- The 30-day and annual interview requirements for individuals
designated for special registration at a U.S. port of entry
are suspended;
- The annual interview requirement for individuals designated
for "call-in" special registration are suspended;
- DHS may, as a matter of discretion, notify individual
nonimmigrant aliens subject to NSEERS registration to appear
for one or more additional continuing registration interviews
in those particular cases where it may be necessary to determine
whether the alien is complying with the conditions of his
or her nonimmigrant visa status and admission;
- The departure registration requirement remains in effect
- individuals subject to special registration must
still register their departure from the U.S. before an immigration
officer at a designated port of departure and depart from
that port on the same day;
- Individuals subject to special registration requirements
must continue to report address changes as before; however,
students may fulfill this requirement by reporting a change
of educational institution or address through the SEVIS
program.
The amended rule also includes:
- Information on how individuals with unusual circumstances
(e.g., frequent business travelers) may apply to a U.S.
Customs and Border Protection field office director for
discretionary relief from special registration requirements
by submitting a written request with supporting documents
and information;
- Clarification of the consequences for failing to complete
the departure registration requirement. For more information,
click here.
Additional Information:
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