Arabs, Race and the Post-September 11 National Security State
Middle East Report 224: Arabs, Race and the Post-September 11 National Security State, by Salah D. Hassan The Justice Department announced on August 12 its intention to implement the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) on September 11, 2002. The system involves the fingerprinting of "high-risk" foreign visitors. In addition, the program will require targeted foreign nationals to register their residence with authorities and to confirm their exit. According to a Justice Department statement, foreigners "will be selected according to intelligence criteria reflecting patterns of terrorist organizations' activities." But the system will begin by tracking "all nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria," though no nationals from these countries were involved in the September 11 hijackings.