Immigrants & Immigration

The Alien Registration Requirement is a new policy requiring certain non-citizen immigrants to register with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) beginning April 11, 2025.

What is registration?

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 will start on April 11, 2025. Not all non-citizens need to register through this process. Many non-citizens are already considered registered.

Once the registration rules go into effect, non-citizens have 30 days to register. Failure to register may result in criminal penalties and/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. 

According to this requirement, who needs to register?

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)
• Canadian nationals who last entered the U.S. without receiving a Form I-94 

Who is considered already registered? 

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

• Green card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents)
• 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)
• 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.

When does this registration requirement start? 

The requirement will start on April 11, 2025. It is important to stay up-to-date on implementation and any changes.

What could happen if you register? 

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

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

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

It’s important to talk to an immigration lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative before registering to understand your rights. 

What could happen if you don’t register? 

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

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

What are the penalties associated with this requirement?

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. 

Do I need to carry documents to prove I registered? 

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. This document should be carried with you as proof that you have registered. 

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.

Get a Legal Consultation 

If you have questions about the registration and how it may impact you, consult an immigration lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative who can advise you on your rights and any potential legal risks. 

If you’re at risk of being placed in removal proceedings, an immigration lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative can help you understand any options you may have to fight your case and stay in the US. For example, if you have been here for more than ten years, you might be eligible for cancellation of removal based on hardship to certain US citizens or Legal Permanent Resident family members. 

There is no cost to register. The only place you can register is through the official USCIS website. Do not pay anyone to assist you with registering. Instead, seek a legal consultation with a trusted immigration lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative. 

Options for free or low-cost legal help include: 

• Immigrant Legal Support Program Workshops
• Illinois Access to Justice
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights lawyer and nonprofit list 

Additional Resources 

For more information about your rights related to this policy, visit the National Immigration Law Center.  Stay up to date with Immigration resource guide for advocates in 2025.