STATEMENT OF BARBARA COMSTOCK, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGARDING THE NATIONAL SECURITY ENTRY-EXIT REGISTRATION SYSTEM

“In response to concerns previously expressed by the Canadian Government about the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS), in late September the United States changed the treatment accorded to those individuals who were born in the countries listed in the regulations and who are Canadian citizens. Place of birth, by itself, will not automatically trigger registration. The Department of Justice and the Immigration and Naturalization Service have instructed immigration inspectors at U.S. ports of entry accordingly.

“The goal of this program is to allow the United States to more accurately track the arrivals and departures of certain aliens. U.S. immigration officials reserve the right to register any aliens, including Canadian, whom they believe may pose a threat to the United States. Indeed, the U.S. has already registered aliens from more than 100 countries around the world using intelligence-based criteria.”

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