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Department of Justice/Immigration and Naturalization Service: * DOJ is implementing the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) to enable the government to track the approximately 35 million non-immigrants who enter the U.S. each year. As part of NSEERS, certain non-immigrants will continue to register at a port-of-entry upon admission to the U.S. Other non-immigrants who were admitted to the U.S. in or prior to September 2002 should review the following information to determine if he or she may be subject to the NSEERS, also referred to as “Call-In Special Registration.” Under its “Call-In Special Registration” program, DOJ is requiring certain citizens/nationals of 21 designated countries to appear at an INS district or sub-office to participate in special registration. In general, males age 16 and over who last entered the U.S. as a non-immigrant (tourist, student, business visitor, work visa) on or before September 2002 and are citizens/nationals of listed countries may be subject to the Call-In Special Registration program. The deadline by which an affected non-immigrant must register depends on his/her country of citizenship/nationality. Those individuals subject to the INS special registration program must exit and enter the U.S. only from designated ports of entry/pre-flight clearance stations and should plan their international travel accordingly. Citizens/nationals of Iran Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria who entered the U.S. on or before 09/11/2002 must have registered with the INS by 12/16/2002. Citizens/nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, U.A.E., and Yemen who entered the U.S. on or before 09/30/2002 must register with the INS on or before 01/10/2003. Citizens/nationals of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia who entered the U.S. on or before 09/30/2002 must register with the INS on or before 02/21/2003. Further information relating to the INS’ Special Registration program can be obtained by visiting the INS’ website at www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/lawenfor/specialreg/index.htm. Please note that a willful failure to register or refusal to register may make a non-immigrant subject to criminal penalties and/or subject to deportation for failure to maintain non-immigrant status, unless the Attorney General finds the failure was “reasonably excusable.” Department of State: * Individuals seeking to obtain visas at the various U.S. Consulate and Embassy posts are urged to contact the appropriate post beforehand to determine if any procedures or requirements have changed, as various posts have amended and may continue to amend the visa application process. Should you have any questions concerning the above or any other employment-based immigration matter, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Luis Campos, Partner and Chair of the Immigration and Nationality Practice Group, at 972.739.8608, [email protected]; Ms. Cindy Kang at 972.739.8605, [email protected]; or Ms. Jacquelyn Prickett at 972.739.8607,

 

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