May 14 2003

Individuals from 25 predominantly Middle-Eastern countries are required to register at the airport upon entering the U.S. (the NSEERS program), or were required to report to a local Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services office if they were still present in the U.S. by a specified date.

These individuals MUST also report to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection upon departing the U.S. Simply turning in an I-94 card upon departing has been deemed insufficient. Individuals must arrive at the airport early, and seek out where to go in order to comply with this regulation.

Failure to report upon departure will make the individual inadmissible upon their return to the U.S. This is true for short-term visitors as well as workers on longer term H-1B's, L's, etc. The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that inspectors may exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis if an individual can show good cause as to why they failed to report.