■ Special Registration Procedures

As of September 11, 2002, a non-immigrant registration system known as NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System) was implemented as part of the Border Security Act. The information below was compiled from several sources, including the Federal Register, the Open Doors Quarterly Bulletin from David Ware & Associates, Attorneys at Law, and advisories from NAFSA Association of International Educators

NSEERS requires registration for all nonimmigrant aliens (age 14 or older), including student visa holders, who are nationals or citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, or Syria and who apply for admission to the US. Effective October 1, 2002, the registration program was expanded to include males, (aged 16 to 45) who are citizens or nationals of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Additionally, nonimmigrants of any nationality may be subject to special registration if an inspecting officer feels, for any reason, that the aliens' activities should be closely monitored while in the US. Inspecting officers have broad discretion in making such a determination. For example, NSEERS allows officers to enforce special registration procedures on any nonimmigrant who has made "unexplained trips" to Iran, Libya, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Egypt, Somalia, Pakistan, Indonesia, or Malaysia. Another reason for an officer to require special registration is if an alien's explanation for any trips to third countries "lack credibility."

Group 1 Special Call-In Registration

As of October 1, 2002, F and J students who are already in the US at present were not subject to Special Registration. However, as of November 6, 2002 “special call-in registration” has been extended to include citizens of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria who were admitted on or before September 10, 2002, and are male, born on or before November 15, 1986 and if you will be in the US until at least December 16, 2002. The registration period for Group 1 was November15 ? December15, 2002.

Group 2 Special Call-In Registration

As of November 22, 2002, special call-in registration has been extended to males only born before December 2, 1986 who are nationals or citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, who were admitted to the U.S. prior to September 30, 2002 and who intend to remain in the US at least until January 10, 2003. December 2, 2002 through January 10, 2003 was the registration period for Group 2.

NOTE: Deadlines have been extended to February 7 for special call-in registration for Groups 1 and 2.

Group 3 Special Call-In Registration

In a notice published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2002, nationals or citizens of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, who are males and age 16 or older, who entered the US on or before 9/30/02 in a nonimmigrant status and who will remain in the US after 1/13/03, are required to appear at their local INS office for NSEERS registration, fingerprinting and interview, between 1/13/03 and 2/21/03 3/21/03. (Date extended 2/19/03 per Federal Register)

Group 4 Special Call-In Registration

In a notice published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2003, male nationals or citizens 16 years and older of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and Kuwait, who will remain in the US after 3/28/03 are required to appear for registration between 2/24/03 and 3/28/03 4/25/03. (Date extended 2/19/03 per Federal Register)

NSEERS has three fundamental components:

1. Fingerprinting at the border, using state-of-the-art computer technology.

2. Periodic registration and confirmation of visitors' activities while they are within US borders. Most European nations have had similar registration systems in place for decades to ensure that foreign visitors are doing what they said they would do and living where they said they would live.

3. A system of exit controls. Specifically, a departure check is required when special registrants leave the country, so that the INS can identify individuals who overstay the visa duration.

The Special Registration Procedures include

1. Registering upon each arrival to and departure from the US
2. Being interviewed at an INS office if remaining the US for more than 30 days and/or for more than one year
3. Notifying INS within 10 days of any changes of residence, employment, or educational institution.
4. A possibility of applying for a waiver of special registration requirements, please see ISS for further information.

The US Department of Justice has created a brochure, form M-526, to explain the Special Registration Procedures available on-line: www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/lawenfor/specialreg/srproc.pdf
Or, go to www.ins.usdoj, click on 'search' and type 'Form M-526' in the box

The introduction to this brochure states, "…Terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of thousands of Americans as well as nationals from many countries. As a result, new regulations have gone into effect to help ensure the safety of all persons in the United States. These regulations require the …INS to register certain individuals in the interest of national security or law enforcement. We understand that in many cases these procedures may cause inconvenience. However, your cooperation is requested so that our vision in which citizens, immigrants, and visitors can live without fear of terrorist threats will become a reality."

In light of these new procedures, the ISS advises all UHM students who feel they may be subject to special registration to carefully weigh the pros and cons of any possible travel abroad. If you are chosen for Special Registration, expect delays at every admission and departure from the US. Be ready and able to clearly explain the purpose for your travel to or through any of the countries listed above.