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On 3/12/2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an interim final rule requiring the registration of certain aliens (non-citizens). This rule takes effect on 4/11/2025.
The law requires non-citizens residing in the United States to register with DHS, providing personal information such as fingerprints and home addresses. The initiative aims to enhance national security and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
Under the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act), with certain exceptions, all noncitizens who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Parents and guardians are responsible for registering children under 14. Further, once a child reaches their 14th birthday, they must apply for re-registration and fingerprinting within 30 days.
Who is already considered to be registered?
The following individuals are considered to already have been registered and are not required to register again:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
- Aliens paroled into the United States even if the period of parole has expired;
- Aliens admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired;
- All aliens present in the United States who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival;
- Aliens whom DHS has placed into removal proceedings;
- Aliens issued an employment authorization document;
- Aliens who have applied for lawful permanent residence using Forms
I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, and provided fingerprints (unless waived), even if the applications were denied; and
- Aliens issued Border Crossing Cards.
Who is required to register?
The registration requirement applies to:
- Aliens present in the United States without inspection and admission or inspection and parole who have not otherwise registered (that is, aliens who crossed the border illegally).
- Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration.
- Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed above, including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration.
- All aliens 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. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days.
- The parents or legal guardians of aliens less than 14 years of age: Parents or legal guardians must apply for the registration of aliens 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 alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.
How To Register:
Registration is done using Form G-325R, which is accessible on myUSCIS (my.uscis.gov). You must create an applicant account on myUSCIS in the name of the person to be registered in order to complete the registration process.
What are the consequences of not registering?
Non-compliance will be considered a criminal offense and can lead to significant penalties, including civil fines of up to $5,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months, and potential immigration consequences.
Note
Registration does not provide legal immigration status or work authorization.
For more information
For more information on the Alien Registration Requirement, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration.
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