(NAPSI)—For many people born elsewhere, moving to the U.S. represents an opportunity for a new life. For young men, this opportunity comes with an obligation.

When a young man turns 18, he is required by law to register with the Selective Service System. It’s important to note that this law applies to almost all male U.S. citizens and male aliens living in the U.S. who are 18 through 25.

Noncitizens Must Register

The obligation for young men to register with the Selective Service upon turning 18 also applies to illegal aliens, legal immigrant residents and refugees. The general rule is that if a male noncitizen takes up residency in the U.S. before his 26^th birthday, he must register.

Noncitizens who are in the U.S. on student or visitor visas, and men who are part of a diplomatic or trade mission and their families, are not required to register with Selective Service.

The Selective Service does not collect any information that would indicate a man’s immigration status. Dual nationals of the U.S. and another country are required to register, regardless of where they live, because they are U.S. nationals.

Penalties For Not Registering

A man who fails to register may, if prosecuted and convicted, face a fine of up to $250,000 and/or a prison term of up to five years.

Those who fail to register with Selective Service before turning age 26 may also find that some doors are permanently closed to them. For example:

• Registration with the Selective Service is a requirement for U.S. citizenship if the man first immigrated to the U.S. before his 26^th birthday.

• Men who should register and don’t will not qualify for federal student loans or grant programs. This includes Pell Grants, College Work Study, Guaranteed Stu- dent/PLUS Loans and National Direct Student Loans.

• Federal job training programs under the Workforce Investment Act are only open to those men who register with Selective Service.

• A man must be registered to be eligible for jobs in the federal government and the U.S. Postal Service.

• Some states require proof of registration to get a driver’s license.

Fortunately, registration has been made increasingly convenient. Go to a U.S. post office and pick up a Selective Service registration card or register online at www.sss.gov.

To learn more, call toll free (888) 655-1825.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)