News Release from Jewell & Associates - January 24, 2003 We previously reported on the INS's newly implemented National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS). This program requires foreign national nonimmigrants (non-green card holders) who either are from certain countries or who fit certain profiles to register as they enter and depart the United States. NSEERS also includes a "call-in" component under which the INS requires certain nonimmigrants from specific countries to register at a designated INS office.
It is very important that foreign workers and others who are required to register do so and contact an immigration lawyer prior to registering. Willful failure to register by the deadline can result in deportation and possible future inadmissibility to the United States.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
To date, there have been four groups of countries designated for call-in registration for the NSEERS program, and each group has been assigned a deadline. However, due to early poor publicity and misunderstandings, individuals in the first two groups who failed to register by their deadline will have one final window of opportunity. Following is a summary of the groups and deadlines. Contact your immigration attorney for more detailed information about the registration deadlines, including the individuals required to register under each.
Group I: The December 16, 2002, deadline required male nationals and citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Libya to register if they were born on or before November 15, 1986, entered the United States on a nonimmigrant visa on or before September 10, 2002, and remained until at least December 16, 2002. Individuals who failed to meet this deadline have one final opportunity to register between Monday, January 27, 2003, and Friday, February 7, 2003.
Group II: The January 10, 2003, deadline required male nationals and citizens of Afghanistan, Oman, Algeria, Qatar, Bahrain, Somalia, Eritrea, Tunisia, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Yemen, and North Korea to register if they were born on or before December 2, 1986, entered the United States on a nonimmigrant visa on or before September 30, 2002, and remained in the United States until at least January 10, 2003. Individuals who failed to meet this deadline have one final opportunity to register between Monday, January 27, 2003, and Friday, February 7, 2003.
Group III: The February 21, 2003, deadline requires male nationals and citizens of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to register if they were born on or before January 13, 1987, entered the United States on a nonimmigrant visa on or before September 30, 2002, and will remain in the United States after February 21, 2003. Such individuals must register between Monday, January 13, 2003 and Friday, February 21, 2003.
Group IV: The March 28, 2003, deadline requires male nationals and citizens of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, and Kuwait to register if they were born on or before February 24, 1987, entered the United States on a nonimmigrant visa on or before September 30, 2002, and will remain in the United States after March 28, 2003. Such individuals must register between Monday, February 24, 2003, and Friday, March 28, 2003.
It is important to be aware that additional restrictions apply for program participants who depart from the United States. Departures must be registered with the INS and can only be made from an official list of pre-approved airports and other ports. The INS web site (http://www.ins.usdoj.gov) provides a list of the approved exit points.
© Jewell & Associates 2003