INS to register Saudi, Pakistani men
From Kelli Arena
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Male nationals of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan visiting or studying in the United States must report for fingerprinting and photographing by February 21 as part of an anti-terrorism program, the Justice Department said Monday.
Men older than 16 from 18 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia had already been ordered to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service or face arrest and deportation. Monday was the deadline for men from five countries -- Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Sudan.
The Justice Department had been criticized for not including Saudi Arabia -- home of 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers -- on the original list of countries falling under the program.
Justice officials said Monday's additions were the result of an ongoing review process and that more countries could be added.
The registration requirement applies only to non-immigrants residing in the United States, including students and visitors, who arrived before September 2002. Since then, visitors from the listed countries have been registered when entering the country.
January 10 is the registration deadline for men from 13 countries -- Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
