October 11, 2002

Update on Special Registration Procedures

As clarified by an October 9, 2002 press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ), special registration procedures for foreign nationals only apply to those nonimmigrant visitors who were registered upon their arrival into the United States by Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) inspections officers at ports of entry and notified at that time of the requirement to appear at an INS office for an interview.

In an August 13, 2002 News Flash, GT reported the requirement for nonimmigrant visitors selected for special registration because they are citizens or nationals of countries (currently Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Pakistan) designated through publication of a notice in the Federal Register, or they are of interest based on current national security, law enforcement or intelligence information. The registration includes being fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed upon entry to the United States.

According to the press release, “Nonimmigrant visitors who have been admitted into the United States without being registered by INS immigration officials, are not special registrants, and therefore are not required to follow special registration procedures. “ There is no requirement to report to an INS office for an interview, and there are no restrictions or requirements related to leaving the United States for these individuals regardless of their nationality. However, when such individuals reentry the U.S. may be selected for special registration.

Additional Information on special registration is available at the INS web page at www.INS.usdoj.gov.