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Changes to
the Special Registration Requirements for Certain Non-Immigrant
Visitors to the US.
"Special
Registration" is a procedure involving interviews,
fingerprints and photographs that takes place at US Ports of
Entry for certain individuals from certain countries. US
Immigration Officers make that determination of who is
subject at the time of presentation for entrance to the US.
From November 2002 to May 2003, a series of separate
"Call-In" registrations took place where fingerprints,
photographs, and an in-person interview at a district office
of Immigration was required. (See the lower section on "New
Special Registration Requirements for Certain Non-Immigrant
Visitors to the US" for details on the Call-In Special
Registration program.)
On December 2, 2003, the US Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) announced the suspension of certain provisions of the
Special Registration process. The suspension took effect
immediately, and will remain indefinitely until such time as
DHS publishes a new announcement.
Here is a highlight of the changes and suspensions:
The requirement that individuals specially registered at US
Ports of Entry appear at an Immigration district office
within 30 days after their admission to the US is SUSPENDED
unless informed differently at the US Port of Entry.
The requirement that individuals subject to special
registration appear at an Immigration district office for an
annual re-registration interview is SUSPENDED until further
notice.
Anyone subject to special registration who is an F or J
lawful non-immigrant status monitored under SEVIS (Student
and Exchange Visitor Information System - Immigration
database) and who changes his mailing address will have met
the change of address requirement for special registration
by reporting the change of address to his university (at
Louisiana State University) through the International
Services Office or the LSU Paws account. Completion of the
federal forms AR-11 or AR-11SR are no longer required for
this specific population.
Here are important provisions of Special Registration
that REMAIN IN EFFECT:
Special registration at US Ports of Entry, including
fingerprinting and photographs will continue for this
population when determined by a US Immigration officer.
The requirement that all special registrants go through a
departure procedure at the appropriate airport, seaport or
land port before leaving the US will continue. (Check the
web site given for more information on what ports special
registrants are limited to exit the US.)
The Department of Homeland Security retains the right to
announce future "Call-In" registrations.
Individuals who, prior to December 2, 2003, failed to appear
for a 30 day re-registration interview, or an annual
re-registration interview, remain subject to penalties as
allowed under law.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
The Department of Homeland Security can, as a matter of
discretion, identify any individual (even if not listed on
the original "Call-In" list of countries for special
registration) and notify specific individuals subject to
special registration to appear for one or more additional
continuing registration interview in those particular cases
where it may be necessary to determine if the individual is
complying with the conditions of his/her nonimmigrant visa
status. Special registration at US Port of Entry will
continue, along with the requirement that all individual
subject to special registration must go through an exit
procedure before departing the US.
We Understand new airports for departure have been added and
deleted from the original list on 8/18/06.
The ISO will attempt to continue to update this web page
with any new information or announcements concerning the
Special Registration program as quickly as possible. Please
note that failure to comply with any of the Special
Registration requirements constitutes a violation of
nonimmigrant status.
You may check the following web site at any time for the
latest information:
http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm
Special Registration Requirements For Certain Non-Immigrant Visitors
To The U.S. (NSEERS)
The
US government announced “Special Registration”
procedures for nationals of certain foreign countries. These
procedures represent a new system the
government is implementing to track the arrival and
departure of non-immigrants that come to the United States
each year. The
registration procedures apply to anyone who has entered the
US since September 11, 2002. These registration procedures
applied to non-immigrants from certain designated countries
or as designated by the US Department of State.
GROUP
1:
Citizens and nationals of Iran, Iraq,
Libya, Sudan, Syria
GROUP
2: Non- immigrants designated by the US Department
GROUP
3: Any other non-immigrant male or female regardless of
nationality, identified at ports of entry in accordance with
8CFR 264.1 (f) (2)
Additional information on
Special Registration and what the registration requirements
are is available by calling
the USCIS Customer Service Center at
1-800-375-5283.
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