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WASHINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on
Friday temporary visitors from seven nations will get four more weeks to
register under an anti-terrorism program that has been criticized for
unfairly targeting Middle Eastern men.
It said the extension covered males who are 16 or older and nationals
of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and Kuwait, Pakistan and Saudi
Arabia.
Most individuals required to register are students, present on extended
business travel or visiting family members for a prolonged period, the
department said. Arab and immigration groups and some foreign nations have
complained that Middle Eastern men have been unfairly singled out.
The Justice Department said the Immigration and Naturalization Service
believed the extension would be "appropriate" to assist some of the
visitors in completing the registration requirements.
U.S. officials said the countries selected for the program are places
where Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network or other terror groups have been
active or where the United States has other "national security concerns."
The program required the visitors to be fingerprinted and photographed
when they enter the United States. A total to 25 nations have been covered
by the program that began in September, and more countries will be added
in the future.
The registration was prompted by concern about the lack of records on
tourists, students and other foreign visitors after the Sept. 11, 2001
hijacked plane attacks.
Temporary male visitors from Pakistan or Saudi Arabia who were in the
United States before Oct. 1 were given an additional four weeks to
register, until March 21.
Temporary male visitors from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan or
Kuwait who were in the United States before Oct. 1 also got four more
weeks to register. Their registration period will last from Feb. 24 until
April 25, the Justice Department
said. | 
