This week the INS added two more countries to the list required for special registration. The new countries placed in “Group 3” special registration are Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The addition of these countries brings the total of countries named for special registration to 20. Of note, the December 16, 2002, Federal Register notice announcing the new countries subject to special registration also included citizens and nationals of Armenia. Two days later, the Justice Department rescinded the original notice stating that the notice incorrectly listed Armenia.
Only males born on or before January 13, 1987, 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 December 18, 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 between January 13, 2003, and February 21, 2003. 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.
Individuals subject to special registration will have a number of important requirements. Each year the person remains in the US, the individual will be required to reregister within 10 days of the anniversary date of the initial registration. Also, if an individual changes one’s address, employment, or educational institution, the person must inform the Service within 10 days of this change on a Form AR-11 SR. Lastly, upon leaving the United States, the individual must appear before a Service officer at a designated port-of-departure and depart from that port on the same day.
Attorney General John Ashcroft said this week during a television interview that the government hopes to have all nonimmigrants participate in the special registration system by 2005.
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