The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is reminding foreign visitors from 18 countries that a new legal requirement calls for them to register with the INS during their stay in the United States.

According to a December 6 press release, the new requirements of the national Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) apply only to males 16 years and older. Men from selected countries or those who match "intelligence-based criteria" are subject to the new rules. Temporary foreign visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan or Syria must register by December 16. Visiting citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates or Yemen must register by January 10, 2003.

The NSEERS program comes as a result of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act passed by Congress in response to last year's terrorist attacks.

Explaining implementation of the law during an October congressional hearing, INS Assistant Commissioner Michael Cronin said, "An integrated entry-exit control program that records and matches the arrival and departure of non-U.S. citizens enhances the security of the United States by providing government officials with specific information about who is entering the country and who is staying past their period of authorized admission. Managing the entry, stay and departure of alien visitors is a major component of controlling our borders and requires collecting information regarding the movement of aliens in, through, and out of the United States."

Cronin continued, "Armed with this information, the United States Government can make better-informed policy and management decisions, identify and take action against those who violate the law, more easily locate individual aliens of interest to law enforcement entities, and validate the immigration status of aliens so that only eligible persons receive immigration benefits."

Following is the text of the INS press release:

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U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service 12/06/02

INS Reminds Certain Temporary Foreign Visitors of Eighteen Countries of Registration Requirement

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) reminds certain temporary foreign visitors of eighteen countries of a new requirement to register with INS. This registration is part of the second phase of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS), being implemented by the INS to fulfill a Congressional mandate to implement a comprehensive entry-exit program by 2005.

The NSEERS program helps ensure our nation's security by protecting the rights of individuals coming to this country as well as the safety of the American people. While America is an open and generous society that welcomes visitors from foreign countries, it is essential that the government know who is entering and exiting our borders. NSEERS promotes several important national security objectives by helping the U.S. to identify wanted criminals and known terrorists entering our borders, enable the INS to determine instantly when temporary foreign visitors have overstayed their visa, and verify that temporary foreign visitors are doing what they said they would be doing and living where they said they would live.

Under this program, temporary foreign visitors (non-immigrant aliens) coming from certain countries or who meet a combination of intelligence-based criteria are identified as presenting elevated national security concerns. As a result, they are required to be registered under NSEERS, providing detailed information about their background and the purpose of their visit to the United States. Such individuals are also required to verify periodically their location and activities, as well as to confirm their departure from the United States.

The process has operated effectively with participation of temporary foreign visitors from 112 countries. INS officers have made every effort to minimize any delay or inconvenience to those individuals required to register under this program.

Temporary foreign visitors who are citizens or nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan or Syria who were admitted to the United States as non-immigrants on or before September 10, 2002, and who plan to stay in the United States until at least December 16, 2002, must register with their local INS office by December 16, 2002.

In addition, temporary foreign visitors who are citizens or nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, or Yemen who were present in the United States as non-immigrants before October 1, 2002, and who plan to stay in the United States until at least January 10, 2003, must register with their local INS office by January 10, 2003.

This requirement only applies to males 16 years or older. Most individuals are students, individuals in the U.S. on extended business travel, or individuals visiting family members for lengthy periods. The requirement to register with INS does NOT apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylum applicants, asylum grantees, and diplomats or others admitted under "A" or "G" visas.

Failure to register constitutes a failure to maintain nonimmigrant status and is a criminal violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This is one of several notices to protect the national security of the United States by enrolling additional temporary foreign visitors in NSEERS.

For a list of local offices or sub-offices in respective states, please visit the INS website at www.ins.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/alphaa.htm. Individuals may also call the INS Service Center at 800-375-5283.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)