This week the INS added nine more countries to the list required for special registration, bringing the total to 14. The new countries are Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Only males born on or before December 2, 1986 who entered the US in nonimmigrant status on or before September 30, 2002 are required to register. Lawful permanent residents are not required to register, nor are people who have been granted asylum. People who have asylum applications pending on or before November 22, 2002 are not required to register, but those with an asylum claim filed after that day will be. Nonimmigrants in the US as diplomats or employees of a foreign government or international nongovernmental organization are not required to register.

Those subject to special registration under this rule must report to a designated INS office on or before January 10, 2002. They must present their passport, visa and other immigration documents, as well as evidence that they are working or studying in accordance with their nonimmigrant visa. They must also present proof that they are residing in the US. They will be fingerprinted and photographed, and must provide any additional information the INS requests. Each year the person remains in the US they will be required to reregister.