From the Federal Register: The Form I-94 is issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to certain aliens and is used for various purposes such as documenting status in the United States, the approved length of stay, and departure. DHS generally issues the Form I-94 to aliens at the time they lawfully enter the United States. This rule adds a new definition of the term “Form I-94” that includes the collection of arrival/ departure and admission or parole information by DHS,
whether in paper or electronic format. The definition also clarifies various terms that are associated with the use of the Form I-94 to accommodate an electronic version of the Form I-94. This rule also adds a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport to the list of documents designated as evidence of alien registration. These revisions to the regulations will enable DHS to transition to an automated process whereby DHS will create a Form I-94 in an electronic format based on passenger, passport and visa information DHS currently obtains electronically from air and sea carriers and the Department of State as well as through the inspection process.
The interim rule is set to take effect on April 26, 2013. If CBP receives public comment and concludes that an extension is appropriate, the Agency will post the new implementation date on its Web site, www.cbp.gov, no later than April 29, 2013.