News & Events Archives

Posted 1/29/04

• Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service now becomes U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
  
  The Department of Homeland Security announced that as "part of the evolutionary process as a new agency," they will no longer use the name Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service. The new name is U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The new website URL is http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm.
  
  
• Changes in Special Registration Requirements
  
  
  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it has suspended the requirement for individuals already registered in the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System (NSEERS) to re-register after 30 days and one year of continuous presence in the United States. The new procedure took effect on December 2, 2003.
  
  The new rule discontinues the requirement for a special registrant, who is monitored through SEVIS, to separately notify DHS of their change of address or institutional sponsorship. Notification to DHS through SEVIS serves as notification for the purposes of NSEERS registration. (Please see the Important Reminder below regarding change of address notifications).
  
  The NSEERS program has not been abolished as widely reported and selected individuals may still be required to re-register upon notice in the Federal Register or by direct notification from DHS.
  
  Other changes which were made to the NSEERS program can be found at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sr.htm.
  
  
  
• U.S. VISIT Program
  

  
  The U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (U.S. VISIT), a new security procedure that will "record the entry and exit of all non-citizens into and out of the U.S. and provide officials information about persons who are in violation of the terms of their admission," was implemented in airports and seaports on December 31, 2003. The departure portion of the program is scheduled for implementation in 2004.
  
  Many of the entry procedures that are currently in place will remain the same. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers will review each visitor's visa and passport and ask questions about the visitor's stay. In addition, they will use inkless digital fingerprint scanners to take fingerprints and take digital photographs.

  
  When leaving the U.S., non-citizens will check-out at self-service, automated departure 'kiosks' located in the departure area of airports. Non-citizens will be required to scan their visas and repeat the fingerprinting and photograph process. If a non-citizen fails to follow this exit procedure, he/she could be barred from re-entering the U.S.
  
  Further updates and information will be provided as the information becomes available.
  
  
• Important Reminder:

  Change of Address/Personal Information:

  Exchange visitors (J-1 and J-2 visa holders) must contact the Foreign National Advisor within ten days when they have a change of address, telephone number, name, etc. Such changes are required to be entered into SEVIS.

  Foreign nationals other than J-1 or J-2 visa holders are required to notify USCIS on Form AR-11 within 10 days of the change. These foreign nationals must also notify the Foreign National Advisor within 10 days of the change. Form AR-11 is available at: http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/ar-11.htm.

  Foreign nationals subject to Special Registration, who are not monitored in SEVIS, are required to report a change of address on the Form AR-11SR which is available at: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sr.htm.