The Obama administration said it is scrapping U.S. regulations that once required Muslim men from 25 Muslim-majority countries to register with the government when they enter the country.
While the current administration has not enforced the program since 2011, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he might revive it to carry out his campaign vow to require Muslim immigrants to register with the government.
The National Security Entry-Exit Registration System was enacted after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and required male foreigners over the age of 16 from more than 20 mostly Muslim countries -- including Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan -- to register with U.S. immigration authorities upon arrival in the United States and at intervals after that.
The law also required them to be fingerprinted and photographed. It also required Muslim immigrants already in the country to register with the authorities and notify the government if they moved.
On December 21, Trump repeated his pledge to register and even perhaps temporarily ban Muslim immigrants. Because of the Obama administration's actions, he would have to start from scratch with such a program when he takes office next month.