The Trump Administration has reinvigorated an older federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1302) that requires noncitizens to register within 30 days of arrival to the United States. Under this law, all noncitizens 14 years of age or older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa (or previously registered foreign national children who turn 14 years old) and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must register and be fingerprinted. The failure to comply with this registration and to be able to present evidence of it when requested by a federal agent can result in a criminal violation of immigration law (8 U.S.C. § 1306).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has created a new form, the Alien Registration Form (G-325R), and process by which noncitizens may register. Persons required to register include:
- Non-citizens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer.
- The parents and legal guardians of noncitizens less than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, before the expiration of those 30 days.
- Any other noncitizens, whether previously registered or not, who turn 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their fourteenth birthday. This includes children who were previously exempt, including those who had I-94 records after entering, and even lawful permanent residents who turn 14 in the United States. The instructions state, “Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, [must register] within 30 days after their 14th birthday.” Lawful permanent residents fall into the category of “aliens,” so the requirement to re-register upon turning 14 would apply.
- Canadian visitors who entered the United States at a land border and were not issued a Form I-94.
According to the Federal Register, evidence of registration includes evidence of status, entry, and proceedings (I-94, I-551 – Permanent Resident Card (green card), I-766 – Employment Authorization Document (EAD), parolee document, FormI-862 – Notice to Appear in immigration court). Evidence of this status/registration is to be carried by noncitizens; it serves as proof of registration, as well as legal status in the United States. Carrying registration minimizes potential confusion and criminal immigration law issues and provides evidence of legal status of a person. Even so, some of the documentation can be confusing (especially when extensions are pending), so contact us with any questions.
Those exempt from registration include visa holders who were already fingerprinted and registered during the visa application process, diplomats and foreign officials holding A or G visas, and lawfully present American Indians born in Canada with 50% indigenous ancestry.
The rule was published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2025, and will go into effect 30 days later, approximately April 11, 2025. Penalties for failure to comply will include a fine of $5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Criminal sanctions can also be imposed for misrepresentations made in the registration process.
Registration can be completed by creating an account on my.USCIS.gov and completing the Alien Registration Form (G-325R). That form will ask for the registrant’s legal name and date of birth, date and place of entry into the United States, current address and contact information, immigration status, and criminal history. Since penalties can be imposed for misrepresentations made on the form, registrants need to be sure to carefully check their immigration history and documents before completing registration.
Foreign nationals 18 and older who are required to register must carry evidence of registration on their person at all times. Penalties for failure to comply include a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both. Foreign nationals subject to registration are also required to report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving on Form AR-11. The penalties for failing to report a change of address are the same as those for not carrying evidence of registration at all times – a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
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If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact one of the attorneys on our Immigration team.