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UPDATE: Understanding Alien Registration Requirements
A 1940 law, known as the Alien Registration Act, requires that every foreign national, age 14 years or older who will be in the United States (U.S.) for 30 days or more, must be registered and fingerprinted. This includes foreign nationals present in the United States (U.S.) without admission or parole. Foreign nationals 18 years and older are also required to always carry proof of such registration. Failure to do so can result in a misdemeanor, which includes fines and/or imprisonment.
Historically, this law has not been regularly enforced. However, the Trump administration began enforcing this law as of April 11, 2025. To comply with the registration requirement, the administration created a new online G-325R for all unregistered foreign nationals to obtain “Proof of Alien Registration.”.
Who Needs to Register?
Many noncitizens, including some who lack legal status, are already considered registered (see “Who is considered to have already registered,” below.) Any other noncitizen who enters U.S. and plans to stay for 30 days or longer after April 11, 2025, must register before the expiration of the 30 days.
This mandate includes:
- Canadians who entered the U.S. at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration (e.g. Form I-94).
- Noncitizens who entered the U.S. without inspection and have not otherwise been encountered by DHS or do not have a registration document. Note that those who applied for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who were not issued evidence of registration are included.
- Noncitizen children who turn 14 years old while in the U.S. must register/re-register within 30 days of their 14th birthday. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s compliance.
What if you are Undocumented?
If you entered the U.S. without inspection and admission or inspection and parole and have not registered [not filed a registration form under 8 CFR§ 264.1(a)] AND do not have evidence of registration under 8 CFR §264.1(b), you are required to register.
INA §262 mandates registration before the expiration of thirty days after entry to the U.S. Previously, those entering the U.S. without inspection, admission, or parole did not have a designated registration document to use according to DHS.
DHS estimates that 2.2 to 3.2 million noncitizens in the U.S. may be affected by this rule.
NOTE: Registering does not grant legal status and may result in the registrant being detained and placed in removal proceedings. Failure to register may result in civil and criminal penalties.
Contact our office prior to registering in order to understand the registration process, your rights, and any potential legal risks.
Who is considered to have already Registered?
Noncitizens who have already registered include:
- Lawful permanent residents
- People paroled into the U.S. under INA §212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired.
- People admitted to the U.S. as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired
- All people present in the U.S. (except those under the age of fourteen), who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival.
- People placed into removal proceedings.
- People granted permission to depart without the institution of deportation proceedings.
- People issued an employment authorization document (I-766)
For more information on how and where to register, click here.
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