November 6 2002

The Justice Department has announeced a new mandate that male citizens and nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Sudan, born on or before November 15, 1986, register with the INS. Since September 11, 2002, foreign nationals from these countries have been required to register with the INS upon their arrival and departure from the U.S. This requirement is now extended to those foreign nationals who have been present in the U.S. since September 10, 2002, and intend to stay at least until December 16, 2002.

Foreign nationals subject to this requirement must appear before an INS officer at a designated INS office, and be photographed, fingerprinted, and provide answers to particular questions. Willful failure to register may result in deportation proceedings, and make the foreign national inadmissible to the U.S. in the future.

This requirement DOES NOT apply to permanent residents (green card holders), and those foreign nationals who have already applied for asylum.