Beginning today, April 11, 2025, USCIS will begin enforcing a requirement that certain foreign nationals register with the agency. President Trump’s Executive Order 14159 directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that foreign nationals comply with their duty to register with the government under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Failure to comply with the registration requirement will be treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority.
According to USCIS, all foreign nationals age 14 and older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or more must register. Once an individual registers and appears for fingerprinting, DHS will issue evidence of registration which individuals over age 18 must carry with them at all times.
Many foreign nationals in the U.S. have already registered by applying for an immigration benefit or as otherwise explained below.
Those who have already registered include:
- Lawful permanent residents;
- Aliens paroled into the United States under INA 212(d)(5), 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.
Those who have NOT registered include:
- 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; and
- Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed in 8 CFR 264.1(b).
Additional information on registration can be found here. It is important that you speak to your immigration attorney if you have any concerns about this new registration requirement. Please contact us with any questions before registering.
