One Question Interview: Registering with the INS
The director of International Office explains what new INS regulations means for Duke internationals from targeted countries
Friday, January 24, 2003
Catheryn Cotten is director of Duke's International Office
Q: Because of the concern of terrorism, some internationals from designated countries, including students and scholars, are having to go through a Special Registration process when they enter the country. Who is affected by this and what is it they have to do?
A: The National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) was required by Congress in response to the 9-11 attacks. It affects Duke's foreign national visitors from different countries in different ways.
Some background first. U.S. law has carried the concept of "registration" of aliens for more than 100 years. The law uses the term "alien" to mean someone who is not a citizen or national of the United States. The method of registration has changed over the years. In the 1880s, aliens had to carry special cards and present them to government officers upon request. In 1952 Congress substantially rewrote the immigration law, but still required registration of all aliens. The 1952 law gave the Attorney General and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) the authority to determine how to implement registration.
For most of Duke's foreign national students, scholars, and employees, registration consists of filing out a small card, a Form I-94, on the airplane. At the port of entry the INS tears the I-94 in two, keeps one part, and gives the other back to the alien. When the alien leaves the U.S. he/she returns the I-94 to the INS at the port of departure (actually the airline collects it), to show that he/she is leaving the country.
Since the 9-11 attacks, Congress has mandated more careful monitoring of the entries, exits, and activities of aliens in the U.S. As a result, INS has established two different kinds of registration. The usual I-94 process continues for most countries of the world. But for citizens and nationals of certain Middle Eastern, countries, and other countries identified as possible security risks, INS has established a "Special Registration" procedure.
Special Registration requires that the alien undergo an interview with an INS officer at which time INS takes photos and fingerprints. He/She must then report to the local INS office once per year, submit changes of address on a special form, and leave the U.S. only through designated ports where he/she can be properly identified before departure.
Duke is not involved in the process, but we have sent out notices to international students, scholars or employees whom we could identify as possibly being affected by Special Registration. We have contacted some 50-60 Duke people, but the INS is adding countries periodically, so the numbers will go up. We also have posted a FAQ on our Web site. For most people, Special Registration means a trip to Charlotte, the nearest INS office. The deadline for them to report to INS varies depending on their home country and when they entered the United States.
