Immigration Site

Hi

I got my EB1-EA approved. MY I-148 is pending. Still on H1B. I got the work permit approved thogh. BUT I got a RFE for my advanced parole (I-131) for registration with the NSEERS. I am from one of those countries. Any advice there? I do not even know if I registered. I have been coming in and out of the US with no problem at least twice a year for the past six years.

Thanks

In order to determine if you were registered:

1- When you landed in the US, were you asked to go to another back room in order to stamp your passport?

2- More importantly, look at your I-94 card and/or your visa in your passport. Is there a "FIN#" written by an immigration inspector (followed by a 6-7 digit number)?

If you have been coming and going out of the US, and you dont know if you are registered, you probably are not. This is because if you had been registered, you would have to report to a special immigration room at the airport with your boarding pass prior to getting on the plane to leave the US, and if you didnt, you would normally be denied entry for not complying with the "exit interview" requirement.

During 2002-2003, there were requirements for "walk in registration", any male from certain countries was required to report. If you were from one of the countries, and you didnt go, you supposedly should be in a lot of trouble right now. But if youve been coming and going with no problem, either you are 1- not from one of those countries, 2- have been overlooked by immigration officials for not reporting to the walk-in special registration and will now have to suffer the consequences, 3- you held either an A or G type visa (which are exempt from NSEERS) during 2002-2003, or you did not stay in the US for over 30 days at any time since NSEERS was introduced until the walk-in part was suspended in late 2003.

I hope this helps. Post if you have any further questions.

that sounds scary. i was just on an h1b. but realistically what should be my next move assuming i didnt register? get a lawyer and then go try to register?

also i remember going for the walk in thing and i was simply turned back. i was told i wasnt flagged for registration. the whole thing was so chaotic if there were any mistakes there, they were certainly not mine.

whats important now is to try and fix this in case i am indeed not registered. That’s what I need to find out.

You were turned back? I must ask you again: Are you sure you are an actual "citizen" or "national" of one of the countries that were on the list?

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen. (Palestinians who are not considered "citizens" or "nationals" of the countries above were not required to register according to the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee.)

As for what to do: Perhaps you should take to a lawyer, or contact the folks at ADC.org. If you truly are a "citizen" or "national" of one of the countries above, you may consider doing a signed affidavit where you state that you were turned back from walk-in registration at wherever you went to register, and you have never been asked to register at a point of entry. But obtain legal advice as well.