Homeland Security Department
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is removing outdated regulations relating to an obsolete special registration program for certain nonimmigrants. DHS ceased use of the National Security Entry- Exit Registration System (NSEERS) program in 2011 after finding that the program was redundant, captured data manually that was already captured through automated systems, and no longer provided an increase in security in light of DHS's evolving assessment of the threat posed to the United States by international terrorism. The regulatory structure pertaining to NSEERS no longer provides a discernable public benefit as the program has been rendered obsolete. Accordingly, DHS is removing the special registration program regulations.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security 8 CFR Parts 214 and 264 AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is removing outdated regulations relating to an obsolete special registration program for certain nonimmigrants. DHS ceased use of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) program in 2011 after finding that the program was redundant, captured data manually that was already captured through automated systems, and no longer provided an increase in security in light of DHS's evolving assessment of the threat posed to the United States by international terrorism. The regulatory structure pertaining to NSEERS no longer provides a discernable public benefit as the program has been rendered obsolete. Accordingly, DHS is removing the special registration program regulations. DATES: This rule is effective December 23, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kekoa Koehler, Office of Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Phone: 202-447-4125. Email: Russell.koehler@hq.dhs.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background History of the Special Registration Program In 1991, the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), then part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), published a final rule requiring the registration and fingerprinting of certain nonimmigrants bearing Iraqi and Kuwaiti travel documents, due to various factors, including concerns about misuse of Kuwaiti passports. [ 1 ] In 19…
Citation: 81 FR 94231
