NSEERS - Special Registration

Special Registration is a procedure involving interviews, fingerprints and photographs that takes place at U.S. ports of entry for certain individuals (mostly male) from certain countries. In addition, from November 2002 to May 2003, a series of separate "call-in" registrations took place where fingerprints, photograph, and an in-person interview at a district immigration office was required. On Tuesday, December 2, 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the suspension of certain provisions of the Special Registration process. The suspension took effect immediately, and will remain indefinitely until such time as the Department of Homeland Security publishes a new announcement. Some articles in the national news media (and on some web sites) are portraying the announcement as an outright termination of the entire Special Registration program. Not true!

Here are the provisions that remain in effect:

• Special registration at U.S. Ports of Entry, including fingerprinting and photographs will continue
• The requirement that all special registrants go through a departure procedure at the appropriate airport, seaport or land port before leaving the United States will continue
• 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.

To read a Department of Homeland Security fact sheet on the changes, visit: NSEERS