National Security Entry and Exit Registration

Abstract

The attacks of September 11, 2001 led to a change in the public’s perception and experience of border security and immigration policy. Whether in the form of actual legislation modifying existing immigration policies, delays in citizenship processing, or increased scrutiny of those entering or exiting the United States, many people—citizens and noncitizens, native and foreign born—are affected in varying degrees by changes in our immigration regulations. Immigration enforcement is now treated by the government as an integral part of national security policy. The challenge is to balance national security concerns with the need for an open society that also protects economic and political interests. This chapter advances recommendations about how to strike a more appropriate balance and argues that abolishing “Special Registration” is an important step in this direction.

In this new war, our enemy’s platoons infiltrate our borders, quietly blending in with visiting tourists, students and workers. They move unnoticed through our cities, neighborhoodsandpublicspaces.... Their tactics rely on evading recognition at the border and escaping detection within the United States.

Attorney General John Ashcroft announcing NSEERS on June 6,2002