- By Ajeet Kumar
- Sat, 12 Apr 2025 03:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
All foreign nationals living in the United States have to register with the government and carry documentary proof of their legal status at all times, according to new rules that came into effect Friday, following an executive order by President Donald Trump. Failing to follow the new rule, the person can be deported, fined or even jailed.
"All foreign nationals present in the United States longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. Failure to comply with this is a crime punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both... If not, you will be arrested, fined, deported, never to return to our country again," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a regular briefing.
🚨 BOOM! Karoline Leavitt says ALL foreign nationals in the US longer than 30 days must register with the government, or they may be IMPRISONED and/or deported!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 11, 2025
"If not, you will be arrested, fined, deported, never to return to our country again."pic.twitter.com/HRbxQuG5Jj
Rule applicable for all aliens": DHS
The rule, applicable to all non-citizens — known as "aliens" was announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and implemented by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Dawn reported. It mandated all aliens aged 18 and above, including those with legal status, to carry evidence of their registration at all times. This includes Green Card holders and other categories of non-citizens residing legally in the US.
Once an alien has registered and appeared for fingerprinting (unless waived), DHS will issue evidence of registration, which aliens over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their personal possession at all times,” the USCIS stated in a March 21 alert. It warned of criminal and civil penalties, including misdemeanour prosecution, fines, or incarceration in case of failure to comply with these requirements. The rule enforces Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which has long required registration of non-citizens but lacks a universal mechanism for enforcement.
Either register or get out
President Trump’s Executive Order 14159, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, issued on January 20, directed DHS to treat noncompliance with this registration requirement as a law enforcement priority. Under this rule, aliens who have remained in the US for 30 days or longer must register using an online system, including the new Form G-325R for Biometric Information.
Those who have not been fingerprinted previously must also appear for fingerprinting. “Many aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law. However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way to register and meet their obligation under INA 262,” the USCIS explained. “USCIS has established a new form… and an online process by which unregistered aliens may register and comply with the law.”
The rule applied to nearly all noncitizens, including temporary visitors, students, and workers, with only limited exceptions. It also placed obligations on the parents or legal guardians of children under 14 years old. “Within 30 days of reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and to be fingerprinted,” the regulation stated.