June 8, 2004

ICE Conducts First NSEERS Re-registration Interview

As Greenberg Traurig has reported in previous News Flashes, NSEERS, the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, requires non-immigrants from certain countries, as well as other individuals designated by the Department of Homeland Security or Department of State on a discretionary basis, to be processed under "special registration" procedures, as part of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS). These procedures require an initial registration with immigration authorities either at a port of entry or a designated immigration office, as well as an additional in-person re-registration interview at an immigration office. Special registrants are also required to notify immigration authorities of changes of address, employment, or school.

On June 3, 2004, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigations agents conducted what is believed to be the first NSEERS re-registration interview.

The client, who is in valid H-1B status, was given 10 days notice of the interview. The interview lasted about 20 minutes.

In the interview notice, ICE requested that the client bring several documents to the interview to document that they had been maintaining lawful status in the U.S. (the exact documents requested are unknown). The documents were examined by the ICE agent and noted in the client’s file in ICE’s computer database. In addition, ICE copied the client’s driver’s license, credit cards and social security card.

During the interview, the client was asked a number of questions, most of them relating to the employment (What kind of work do you do? Who do you work for? Where is the work located?) and the client’s current address.

Digital fingerprints and photographs of the client were also taken at the interview and compared with those taken at the time of the client’s initial NSEERS registration at the port-of-entry.

Following the interview, ICE indicated that the client’s file would be updated to reflect the appearance for the interview and that the client had complied with NSEERS re-registration requirements.

Please refer to our previous alerts for additional information and background on NSEERS and Special Registration requirements. Greenberg Traurig will continue monitoring new developments.

For more information on NSEERS, please contact the GT Business Immigration Group at imminfo@gtlaw.com.