TEXT: INS ISSUES REMINDER ON NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME FOREIGN VISITORS | ||
(Men
from 18 nations must register during U.S. visit) December 11, 2002 The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
is reminding foreign visitors from 18 countries that a new legal
requirement calls for them to register with the INS during their stay in
the United States. According to a December 6 press release, the new
requirements of the national Security Entry-Exit Registration System
(NSEERS) apply only to males 16 years and older. Men from selected
countries or those who match "intelligence-based criteria" are subject to
the new rules. Temporary foreign visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan or
Syria must register by December 16. Visiting citizens of Afghanistan,
Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar,
Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates or Yemen must register by January
10, 2003. The NSEERS program comes as a result of the Enhanced
Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act passed by Congress in response
to last year's terrorist attacks. Explaining implementation of the law during an October
congressional hearing, INS Assistant Commissioner Michael Cronin said, "An
integrated entry-exit control program that records and matches the arrival
and departure of non-U.S. citizens enhances the security of the United
States by providing government officials with specific information about
who is entering the country and who is staying past their period of
authorized admission. Managing the entry, stay and departure of alien
visitors is a major component of controlling our borders and requires
collecting information regarding the movement of aliens in, through, and
out of the United States." Cronin continued, "Armed with this information, the
United States Government can make better-informed policy and management
decisions, identify and take action against those who violate the law,
more easily locate individual aliens of interest to law enforcement
entities, and validate the immigration status of aliens so that only
eligible persons receive immigration benefits." Following is the text of the INS press release: (begin text) U.S. Department of Justice INS Reminds Certain Temporary Foreign
Visitors of Eighteen Countries of Registration Requirement The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
reminds certain temporary foreign visitors of eighteen countries of a new
requirement to register with INS. This registration is part of the second
phase of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS),
being implemented by the INS to fulfill a Congressional mandate to
implement a comprehensive entry-exit program by 2005. The NSEERS program helps ensure our nation's security
by protecting the rights of individuals coming to this country as well as
the safety of the American people. While America is an open and generous
society that welcomes visitors from foreign countries, it is essential
that the government know who is entering and exiting our borders. NSEERS
promotes several important national security objectives by helping the
U.S. to identify wanted criminals and known terrorists entering our
borders, enable the INS to determine instantly when temporary foreign
visitors have overstayed their visa, and verify that temporary foreign
visitors are doing what they said they would be doing and living where
they said they would live. Under this program, temporary foreign visitors
(non-immigrant aliens) coming from certain countries or who meet a
combination of intelligence-based criteria are identified as presenting
elevated national security concerns. As a result, they are required to be
registered under NSEERS, providing detailed information about their
background and the purpose of their visit to the United States. Such
individuals are also required to verify periodically their location and
activities, as well as to confirm their departure from the United
States. The process has operated effectively with
participation of temporary foreign visitors from 112 countries. INS
officers have made every effort to minimize any delay or inconvenience to
those individuals required to register under this program. Temporary foreign visitors who are citizens or
nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan or Syria who were admitted to the
United States as non-immigrants on or before September 10, 2002, and who
plan to stay in the United States until at least December 16, 2002, must
register with their local INS office by December 16, 2002. In addition, temporary foreign visitors who are
citizens or nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon,
Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates,
or Yemen who were present in the United States as non-immigrants before
October 1, 2002, and who plan to stay in the United States until at least
January 10, 2003, must register with their local INS office by January 10,
2003. This requirement only applies to males 16 years or
older. Most individuals are students, individuals in the U.S. on extended
business travel, or individuals visiting family members for lengthy
periods. The requirement to register with INS does NOT apply to U.S.
citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees,
asylum applicants, asylum grantees, and diplomats or others admitted under
"A" or "G" visas. Failure to register constitutes a failure to maintain
nonimmigrant status and is a criminal violation of the Immigration and
Nationality Act. This is one of several notices to protect the national
security of the United States by enrolling additional temporary foreign
visitors in NSEERS. For a list of local offices or sub-offices in
respective states, please visit the INS website at
www.ins.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/alphaa.htm. Individuals may also call
the INS Service Center at 800-375-5283. (end
text) |
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Last Updated: December 11, 2002 |