DOJ Information on Call-In Special Registration
SPECIAL CALL-IN REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
FOR CERTAIN
NONIMMIGRANTS
(Call-In Group 2, Federal Register Notice -
November 22, 2002)
THIS NOTICE IS FOR YOU
- If you are a national or citizen of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen and were inspected by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and last admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant on or before September 30, 2002; and
- If you are a male, born on or before December 2, 1986; and
- If you did not apply for asylum on or before November 22, 2002, or if you are otherwise exempt as described in the attached questions and answers; and
- If you will be in the United States at least until January 10, 2003.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- You must come to a designated INS office to be registered (photographed, fingerprinted, and interviewed under oath) between December 2, 2002 and January 10, 2003.
- If you remain in the United States for more than 1 additional year, you must report back to a designated INS office within 10 days of the anniversary of the date on which you first registered. For example, if you were registered December 20, 2002, you would report back between December 10 and December 30, 2003.
- If you change your address, employment, or educational institution, you must notify the INS in writing within 10 days of the change, using Form AR-11 SR.
- If you leave the United States, you must appear in person before an INS inspecting officer at one of the designated ports and leave the United States from that port on the same day.
IT IS VITAL THAT YOU COMPLY
If you do not follow
these procedures, you may be considered to be out of status and deportable. You
may be subject to arrest, detention, fines and/or removal from the United
States. Any future application for an immigration benefit from the United States
may be adversely impacted. If you do not properly exit through a
designated port, any future attempts to reenter the United States may be
impacted. Decisions will be made on an individual basis, depending on the
circumstances of each case.
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SPECIAL CALL-IN REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN
NONIMMIGRANTS
(Call-In Group 1, Federal Register Notice -
November 6, 2002)
THIS NOTICE IS FOR YOU
- If you are a national or citizen of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, or Syria and were inspected by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and last admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant on or before September 10, 2002; and
- If you are a male, born on or before November 15, 1986; and
- If you did not apply for asylum on or before November 6, 2002, or if you are otherwise exempt as described in the attached questions and answers; and
- If you will be in the United States at least until December 16, 2002.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
- You must come to a designated INS office to be registered (photographed, fingerprinted, and interviewed under oath) between November 15 and December 16, 2002.
- If you remain in the United States for more than 1 additional year, you must report back to a designated INS office within 10 days of the anniversary of the date on which you first registered. For example, if you were registered November 20, 2002, you would report back between November 10 and November 30, 2003.
- If you change your address, employment, or educational institution, you must notify the INS in writing within 10 days of the change, using Form AR-11 SR.
- If you leave the United States, you must appear in person before an INS inspecting officer at one of the designated ports and leave the United States from that port on the same day.
IT IS VITAL THAT YOU COMPLY
If you do not follow
these procedures, you may be considered to be out of status and
deportable. You may be subject to arrest, detention, fines and/or removal
from the United States. Any future application for an immigration benefit
from the United States may be adversely impacted. If you do not properly
exit through a designated port, any future attempts to reenter the United States
may be impacted. Decisions will be made on an individual basis, depending
on the circumstances of each case.
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SPECIAL CALL-IN REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN NONIMMIGRANTS
(for all Call-In Groups)
Questions and
Answers
WHY IS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DOING
THIS?
In light of the attacks against the United States on September
11, 2001 and subsequent events, and based on information available to the
Attorney General, the Attorney General has determined that certain nonimmigrant
aliens require closer monitoring when national security or law enforcement
interests are raised. The first phase of Special Registration, initiated
September 11, 2002, required selected individuals to be fingerprinted,
photographed, and interviewed under oath at United States ports-of-entry.
This new procedure is the second phase, extending registration requirements to
nationals and citizens of designated countries, who already have been admitted
to the United States, to register at an Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS) district or sub-office.
The Attorney General has the legal
authority to make this determination under section 265 (b) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act, as amended, 8 U.S.C. 1305(b); and under section 263 (a) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act,
8 U.S.C. 1303(a).
We
appreciate your understanding and cooperation in complying with these
registration procedures.
WHO WILL THIS AFFECT?
Males, 16 years of age or older (born on or before November 15,
1986), who are nationals or citizens of specified countries as described on the
Notice page(s) preceding these Questions and Answers.
WHAT IS
THE DEFINITION OF "CITIZENSHIP"? WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A
"NATIONAL"?
Citizenship: The country in which a person is born
(and has not renounced or lost citizenship) or naturalized and to which that
person owes allegiance and by which he or she is entitled to be
protected.
National: A person owing permanent allegiance to a
state.
WHY ARE ONLY MUSLIMS AND ARABS REQUIRED TO
REGISTER?
To date, individuals from well over 100 countries have
been registered. Registration is based solely on nationality and
citizenship, not on ethnicity or religion.
The INS is required, within
three years, to track all of the estimated 35 million foreign visitors,
students, business travelers, and tourists who enter and leave the United States
each year. It also requires that, by 2004, all official travel documents
used to enter the United States contain biometric identifiers (e.g.,
fingerprints) in addition to photo identification. This requirement is
made necessary given the number of fraudulent documents presented to the INS and
the use of sophisticated imaging technology to conceal and falsify identities.
The National Security Entry and Exit Registration System is an important
first phase in implementing the entry/exit program that will cover all visitors
to the United States. Presently, any number of nationals, from any
country, can be required to follow special registration procedures when the
Attorney General determines it is in the national security and/or law
enforcement interests of the United States.
It is important to
emphasize that the National Security Entry and Exit Registration System is not a
bar to entry into the United States, nor does it limit an individual's ability
to engage in any lawful activity as permitted under their entry
visa.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?
Yes. This does not
affect individuals who are currently lawful permanent residents of the United
States ("green card holders"). Refugees, individuals who have been granted
asylum, and individuals who have applied for asylum on or before the publication
date of the Federal Register notice for the relevant call-in group are also
excluded.
In addition, diplomats and their dependents, individuals with
diplomatic visas, as well as representatives and employees from accredited
international organizations are excluded from the Special Registration
Procedures.
WHAT ABOUT MY DEPENDENTS, SUCH AS MY SPOUSE, CHILDREN
OR PARENTS; DO THEY HAVE TO REGISTER?
All males, who are 16 years
or older as of the date that registration begins for the relevant call-in group,
must register.
WHAT IF MY SPOUSE, CHILDREN OR
PARENTS ARE U.S. CITIZENS OR LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS? DO I STILL HAVE TO
REGISTER?
Yes. There are no exceptions based on the immigration
status of other family members.
WHAT IF I HAVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP?
DO I STILL HAVE TO REGISTER?
Yes. Those who claim citizenship from
countries included in the Call-In Groups are required to register even if they
are also citizens of another country.
WHAT IF I AM IN THE PROCESS
OF APPLYING TO BECOME A PERMANENT RESIDENT, BUT MY APPLICATION IS STILL WITH THE
INS? DO I STILL HAVE TO REGISTER?
Yes. There are no exceptions based
only on filing an application to adjust one's immigration status to that of a
legal permanent resident.
WHAT IF I HAVE APPLIED FOR ASYLUM? DO I
STILL HAVE TO REGISTER?
Maybe. If you applied for asylum on or
before the publication date of the Federal Register notice for your call-in
group, you do not have to register. If you applied for asylum after that date,
you will have to register. If you have been granted asylum, you do not have to
register.
WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES FOR MANY YEARS
BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) STATUS? DO I STILL HAVE TO
REGISTER?
Yes, as long as you were last admitted to the United
States as a nonimmigrant on or before September 10, 2002, for citizens or
nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria, or on or before September 30,
2002, for citizens or nationals of other call-in countries. Even if you have
been allowed to stay legally in the United States for many years, you are still
required to register.
WHAT IF MY LAST ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES
WAS NOT LEGAL (WITHOUT INSPECTION AND ADMISSION), AND I NOW HAVE TEMPORARY
PROTECTED STATUS (TPS)? DO I HAVE TO REGISTER?
No. The current
Special Call-In Registration requirements apply only to aliens who have been
inspected by an Immigration officer and admitted to the United
States.
WHAT IF I WAS PAROLED INTO THE UNITED STATES? DO I HAVE
TO REGISTER?
No. If your last entry into the United States was on or
before September 10, 2002, for citizens or nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan
and Syria, or on or before September 30, 2002, for citizens or nationals of
other call-in countries, and you were not inspected and admitted as a
nonimmigrant, you are not subject to Special Registration.
WHAT
IF I AM CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO SPECIAL CALL-IN REGISTRATION, BUT I DEPART THE
UNITED STATES PRIOR TO THE END OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR MY CALL-IN GROUP?
WILL I HAVE TO REGISTER IF I COME BACK TO THE UNITED STATES?
You are
not subject to Special Call-In Registration if you depart before the end of the
registration period for your call-in group. However, if you leave the
United States and return, you may be registered at the Port-of-Entry if you are
admitted and are subject to a registration requirement existing at that time.
The criteria for registration at Ports-of-Entry may be different from the
criteria for Call-In Registration.
WHERE DO I GO TO
REGISTER?
You can go to the designated INS District or Sub-office
closest to where you are located in the United States. A list of the District
and Sub-offices is attached for your information. It is also available on the
Internet at www.uscis.gov, and by telephone
from the National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833
for the hearing impaired).
WHEN DO I HAVE TO DO
THIS?
You must appear in person before, register with, and provide
requested information under oath to an Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS) officer during the registration period for your call-in
group.
DO I HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
You do not
need an appointment to be registered; but you should come in the morning.
You will be seen on the same day that you come in. Most INS offices are
open Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. For your
convenience, please call the National Customer Service Center toll-free
(1-800-375-5283) to find out when a specific INS office is open for
business.
WHO DO I ASK FOR AT THE INS OFFICE?
When
you get to the INS office, let an INS employee or security guard know that you
are there as part of the Special Registration procedures. An INS
Information Officer will request proof of identity, such as your passport, and
then direct you to the officer who will register you.
WHAT WILL
HAPPEN WHEN I GO TO REGISTER?
At the interview, you will be
fingerprinted and photographed. You need to bring your passport and Form
I-94 (Arrival - Departure Record), any other forms of government-issued
identification documents that you have been issued, and proof of residence,
employment or school matriculation. For example:
- If you are living in the United States, you could bring a lease or rental agreement, utility bills, etc. to show where you live.
- If you are staying with friends or relatives, you could bring documents such as a postmarked envelope or bill showing their name and address.
- If you are in the United States because of a job, you could bring a payroll stub, an employment contract, etc.
- If you are in the United States to go to school, you could bring your class schedule, official notification of your grade(s), your class or yearbook picture, student identification card, evidence of participation in extracurricular activities, etc.
You may also be asked additional questions of a national security or law
enforcement nature. The interviewing officer could also ask another INS
officer to interview you.
If necessary, you should bring someone to
translate for you. A parent or legal guardian may accompany juveniles
under the age of 18. Legal representation is not necessary, but at your
option, you may be represented at your own expense by the legal counsel of your
choice.
When you have been registered, the officer will mark your Form
I-94 to indicate that you have complied with the registration requirement.
If you have lost your Form I-94, you may apply for a replacement at the time of
registration. You will have to file an application and pay any required
filing fee to replace the lost document. The filing fee is currently
$85.
WHAT IF I MISS THE CALL-IN REGISTRATION
DEADLINE?
If you are not able to appear at an INS District or
Sub-office during the specified registration period for your call-in group, you
should come in as soon as possible thereafter. Be prepared to explain and
document why you were unable to register on time. If the INS officer
determines that you did not willfully ignore the registration requirement, you
will be registered.
WILL I BE GIVEN ANY PROOF THAT I HAVE
COMPLIED?
Yes. Your I-94 (Arrival - Departure Record) will be
annotated with a Fingerprint Identification Number (FIN) to show that you have
registered. If you do not have an I-94, you may apply for a
replacement. The I-94 card is an important document for Special
Registration procedures. You will need to present your I-94 card each time
that an INS officer interviews you, and surrender it when you leave the United
States.
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER EVERY YEAR?
If
you stay in the United States for 1 year or longer after the date you were
registered, you must report to an INS office for an annual interview within 10
days of the anniversary of the day on which you were registered. For
example, if you were registered on December 10, 2002 you will need to appear
again at a designated INS office between the dates of November 30 - December 20,
2003. To determine your dates:
Month/Date of registration:
______________________________
Date of being registered ± 10 days:
___________________________
If you stay in the United States for 2 or
more years, you should report to an INS office between those same dates each
year.
You do not need an appointment for your interview; but you should
come in the morning. You will be seen on the same day that you come
in. Most INS offices are open Monday through Friday, except on Federal
holidays. For your convenience, please call the National Customer Support
Center toll-free (1-800-375-5283) to find out when a specific INS office is open
for business.
WHAT IF I CHANGE MY ADDRESS? SCHOOL? OR
EMPLOYER?
If you change your address, employer or school, you must
notify INS by mail within 10 days of the change. You should use a Form
AR-11 SR (Alien's Change of Address Card - Special Registration). A copy
of the form is attached for your convenience. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.uscis.gov/, by mail
from the INS Forms Distribution Center (1-800-870-3979), and at INS District and
Sub-offices.
When completing the form, you should copy the Fingerprint
Identification Number (FIN) that was written on your I-94 (Arrival - Departure
Record) form or passport when you were registered and fingerprinted by the INS
to the top of your Form AR-11 SR (Alien's Change of Address Card - Special
Registration) and to the last line on the AR-11 SR where indicated. If,
for some reason, you do not have your FIN number, use the number of your I-94
(Arrival - Departure Record). You can also use your alien registration number if
you have been given one by the INS.
Mail to the address noted in
the instruction section on the AR-11 SR form.
While not required, it is to
your benefit to keep a copy of your completed form and a receipt of delivery
that can be used to document the date on which you submitted the Form and the
address to which it was mailed.
DO I NEED TO REPORT TO THE INS
WHEN I LEAVE THE UNITED STATES?
Yes. When you leave the
United States, including for visits to Mexico, Canada, or adjacent islands, you
must notify the INS in person on the date of your departure and leave through a
designated port. If you do not report your departure, you may be denied
admission to the United States at a later date.
CAN I
LEAVE FROM ANY AIRPORT, SEAPORT, OR LAND BORDER CROSSING?
No.
You will only be allowed to leave the United States from certain designated
ports. These include certain international airports, seaports and
land border crossings into Canada and Mexico. A list of the
designated ports and instructions on where to register your departure is
attached for your information. This list is also available on the Internet
at http://www.uscis.gov/, and from the
National Customer Service Center (1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833 for the
hearing impaired). Please consult this listing when planning your travel
as newly designated ports may be added by Federal Register notice at any
time.
IS THERE A WAIVER PROVISION FOR CALL-IN REGISTRATION?
No. Everyone required to register must do so. After
registering, a waiver of all or part of the special registration requirement(s)
for up to one year may be requested in writing from an INS District
Director. There is no form to request a waiver; a letter is
sufficient. Examples of the circumstances that might warrant a waiver
include: a representative of a foreign government who was issued a visitor's
visa in lieu of a diplomatic visa, an emergent medical circumstances (such as
those requiring hospitalization) during the interview period. If the
waiver is not approved in writing before the annual interview period, you should
appear for the interview.
WILL I NEED TO BE INTERVIEWED,
FINGERPRINTED, AND PHOTOGRAPHED EVERY TIME I ENTER THE UNITED
STATES?
Maybe. Nonimmigrant aliens who are nationals or
citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria are required to register each
time they are inspected by an Immigration inspections officer and admitted to
the United States. The INS officer at the port of entry may refer other
individuals for Special Registration.
WHAT IF I REGISTER AS PART
OF THE CALL-IN PROCEDURES, LEAVE THROUGH A DESIGNATED PORT, AND THEN GET
SELECTED FOR SPECIAL REGISTRATION WHEN I RE-ENTER THE UNITED STATES? WHICH
PROCEDURES DO I FOLLOW AFTER THAT - PORT OF ENTRY OR CALL IN?
You
should follow the procedures that govern the most recent registration. If
you are registered at a port when you are re-admitted to the United States, you
must come in for the 30-day and annual interviews.
WHAT ARE THE
PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE?
If you do not comply with these
special registration requirements or other terms of your admission to the United
States during your stay, you will be considered out of status. You may be
subject to arrest, detention, fines and/or removal from the United States, and
any future application for an immigration benefit from the United States may be
impacted. Decisions will be made on an individual basis, dependent on the
circumstances of each case.
For the most up-to-date information regarding
Special Registration procedures, office hours, or designated ports for
departure, please consult the INS web page at http://www.uscis.gov, or call the National
Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.