I.       The Problem

         The National Security Entry and Exit Registration System (NSEERS), launched in 2002, required non-citizens from “countries of interest” (a list comprised almost exclusively of Middle Eastern and North African nations or those with a majority-Muslim populations) to register with the then-INS.  Thousands complied but others were too afraid to come forward, even if they were lawfully present and had no reason to fear suspicion.  Many people affected by NSEERS have U.S. citizen family members, long employment histories in the United States, or pending immigration applications.

II.     Proposed Solutions

A.     The Administration should:

1.      Rescind the NSEERS regulations and terminate the program.   

2.      Prohibit registration programs or other similar schemes based on criteria that can be used as a proxy for targeting individuals on the basis of race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity. 

3.      Ensure that those who did not register or did not register properly under NSEERS are not denied the opportunity to apply for immigration status or relief from deportation if otherwise eligible.

III.    Allies*

American Library Association
                        Lynne E. Bradley, Director
                        lbradley(at)alawash.org
                        202-682-8410
                        The ALA Policy Manual: Support of Immigrants’ Rights  (52.4.5) available at 
                        http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/policymanual/policymanual.31_3.pdf

            Bill of Rights Defense Committee (BORDC)
                        Flavia Alaya
                        flavia(at)bigplanet.com
                        856-221-3276

The Constitution Project
                        Becky Monroe
                        bmonroe(at)constitutionproject.org
                        202-580-6920
                        The Constitution Project, The Use and Abuse of Immigration Authority as a                         Counterterrorism Tool:  Constitutional and Policy Considerations, available at                                           http://www.constitutionproject.org

Defending Dissent Foundation
                        Sue Udry, Director
                        Sue.udry(at)defendingdissent.org
                        202-549-4225
                        http://2009transition.org/1%20Pending%20Documents/www.defendingdissent.org

Essential Information
                        John Richard or Robert Weissman
                        202-387-8034

            Government Accountability Project
                        Jesselyn Radack, Homeland Security Director
                        JesselynR(at)whistleblower.org
                        202-408-0034 (ext. 107)

International Justice Network
                        http://2009transition.org/1%20Pending%20Documents/www.IJNetwork.org

Liberty Coalition
                        Michael D. Ostrolenk, Co-Founder/National Director
                        http://2009transition.org/1%20Pending%20Documents/www.libertycoalition.net
                        mostrolenk(at)libertycoalition.net
                        301-717-0599

Open Society Policy Center
                        http://www.opensocietypolicycenter.org
                        202-721-5600

OpenTheGovernment.org
                        Patrice McDermott
                        pmcdermott(at)openthegovernment.org
                        202-332-6736

            South Asian Americans Leading Together
                        Priya Murthy
                        priya(at)saalt.org
                        301-270-1855
                        The Continuing Impact of Special Registration:                                                
                        http://www.saalt.org/attachments/1/Spec%20Reg%20Factsheet.pdf

Stanford Law School - Mills International Human Rights Clinic
                        Barbara J. Olshansky, Leah Kaplan Visiting Professor and Clinic Director
                        Kathleen Kelly, Clinical Teaching Fellow
                        bj.olshansky(at)gmail.com 
                        650-736-2312

U.S. Bill of  Rights Foundation
                        Dane vonBreichenruchardt, President
                        usbor(at)aol.com
                        202-546-7079

*          These groups and individuals support the general principles expressed in the policy proposals described above.  The allies listed do not necessarily endorse the specific language in every proposal, but they do agree that the proposals reflect the general principles that should govern policy in this area.  Please contact the individuals and organizations listed in this section for more information.

IV.    Counterarguments and Rebuttal:

A.     Isn’t NSEERS is an important counter-terrorism tool? Why should we allow those who did not register for NSEERS to pursue immigration relief? 

Tracking schemes such as NSEERS have not proven effective as counter-terrorism measures.   Experts working with the Migration Policy Institute, an independent, non-partisan think tank, affirmed that NSEERS was not meant to identify terrorists.  They concluded that NSEERS was poorly planned and implemented and that the program has not achieved its objectives (See Migration Policy Institute, America’s Challenge: Domestic Security, Civil Liberties, and National Unity after September 11 at pp. 15-17 and 155, available at http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/Americas_Challenges.pdf)  The NSEERS program generated fear and distrust in Arab and Muslim communities, which hinders effective law enforcement.  DHS itself has scaled back the program, suspending certain requirements, although others remain in force.  NSEERS was poorly conceived and implemented and should not be a barrier to immigration relief in cases where a person is otherwise eligible.