Immigrants & Immigration

At the beginning of 2025 the Trump Administration announced that some immigrants will need to register online and provide their fingerprints to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the new “Alien Registration Requirement.”

The new requirement started on April 11, 2025. Not all non-citizens need to register through this process. Many non-citizens are already considered registered.

Failure to register may result in criminal penalties or fines. 

Non-citizens should consult with a trusted immigration lawyer or a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representative for further guidance regarding registration and its possible consequences. 

Under the new requirement, the primary groups of non-citizens immigrants that must register using the new process established by DHS are:

• All non-citizens above the age of 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer and have not previously been fingerprinted by DHS (such as at entry, or through a benefit application), must register. Children turning 14 must register and submit fingerprints within 30 days of their 14th birthday, even if they were previously registered before age 14,
• Non-citizens who entered without being inspected by an immigration officer, have not been encountered by DHS, or who do not have work authorization,
• Non-citizens who entered without being inspected by an immigration officer and have applied for certain benefits (including asylum and Temporary Protected Status) but do not have employment authorization documents (work permit) or who have not been issued a Notice to Appear (the document that is issued to begin removal proceedings), and
• Canadian nationals who last entered the U.S. without receiving a Form I-94.

The following groups are considered registered (not a complete list):  

• Lawful permanent residents (LPRs or green card holders),
• People who were granted parole, including advance parole (even if expired),
• People who came to the US on a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa (even if expired),
• People who are already in immigration removal or deportation proceedings,
• People granted employment authorization on any basis (even if expired),
• Refugees,
• People who have border crossing cards or entered the U.S. as a “crewman”,
• People who applied for lawful permanent residence (even if the application was denied), and
• People who applied for TPS or asylum status.

People who have applied for certain benefits and submitted fingerprints may also be considered registered, even if the application was denied. However, this determination isn’t always straightforward. It’s best to talk to a lawyer or legal aid group to understand how the rules apply to your case.

The requirement is in effect as of April 11, 2025.

It’s important to be honest when someone registers. Providing false information, such as using a fake name or lying about immigration history, can lead to serious consequences. For non-citizens, this could mean being placed in removal proceedings or criminal charges.

If someone is undocumented, registering could lead to removal proceedings before an immigration judge. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could send you a letter asking the non-citizen to report to an office, where they may detain them and start removal proceedings. If a person cannot prove they’ve been in the US for over two years, they could face expedited removal. Expedited removal is a fast-track deportation process with no hearing before a judge unless they have a credible fear of torture or persecution.  

If they’ve been involved in a crime, registering could lead to criminal liability or self-incrimination. Registration asks them to share if they’ve done anything illegal, like using drugs or other crimes, even if they were never arrested or convicted. People who think they have done something that could be considered a crime should consider talking to a lawyer before they register.

Regardless of your criminal or immigration history, it’s important to talk to an immigration lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative before registering to understand your rights. 

If a person doesn’t register, they could face criminal charges. This can happen if they have contact with law enforcement like ICE and they see that they have not registered. 

Not registering could also affect a person’s future immigration applications. Immigration benefits are discretionary. This means the government can choose to approve or deny their application based on their history. If people don’t register, it could be used against them later.

Penalties vary by violation, with fines of up to $5,000, jail time, or both for some offenses:  

• Willful failure to register: Up to $5,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail can be given to anyone who willfully fails to register themselves, or to parents and guardians who willfully fail to register their child under 14.
• Not carrying proof of registration: Up to $5,000 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail.
• Not updating your address with USCIS (a separate form you can file online) within ten days: Up to a $200 fine and/or 30 days in jail.

Fraud in the registration process, such as providing false information, either as a US citizen or non-citizen, could also lead to criminal consequences.

Yes, you should carry proof of registration. There are different forms of proof based on what makes you considered registered (for example, a Notice to Appear for court, a work authorization card, proof that you have an application for permanent residency). 

Once you register through this process online and you have completed your fingerprints at a USCIS Application Support Center, USCIS will issue you a certificate "Proof of Alien Registration" document found on your online account. It is recommended to carry a copy of your proof of registration instead of the original.

Many non-citizens in the United States already have a document that serves as proof of registration like: 

• I-94 Arrival-Departure Record
• I-485 Application for Permanent Resident Receipt Notice
• I-590 Registration for Refugee Status
• Green Card (I-551)
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (I-766)
• Notice to Appear (I-862)
• Border Crossing Card (I-185, I-186) 

Even if you carry this proof, remember you have the right to remain silent and to talk to a lawyer if you're stopped or arrested. Learn more about which documents may serve as proof of registration.