This week the INS released an additional regulation on the special registration program, the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS).  The regulation requires nonimmigrants who are citizens or nationals of designated countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria), regardless of whether they have dual citizenship in another country, who entered the US on or before September 10, 2002, to register with the INS on or before December 16, 2002. 

Only men over age 16 are required to register.  According to the notice published in the Federal Register, the reason for this is that it would be too time consuming to require all people from the designated countries to register.  Also, any male who would otherwise be required to register is exempt from the requirement if they have applied for asylum. 

As with those already subject to the special registration system (people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria admitted as nonimmigrants after September 11, 2002), nonimmigrants covered by this new rule will be required to reregister annually.  Failure to comply with the registration requirements will result in the person’s name and other information being entered into the National Crime Information Center.

The regulation goes into effect on November 15, 2002.