Alien Registration Requirement: What You Need to Know

Hello everyone, I’m Kara Rachel Lavy. Today, I’m addressing the Alien Registration Requirement following President Trump’s Executive Order 14159, issued January 20, 2025, effective April 11, 2025. 

It’s important to clarify: this isn’t a new law. It has been part of U.S. immigration law since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. What’s new is the priority placed on enforcing compliance by the Trump administration.

Who Does NOT Need to Register?

First, let’s identify who does NOT need to register, as many non-citizens have likely already complied without realizing it:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (Green card holders);
• Individuals who entered with a visa and received an I-94 or I-94W;
• Individuals paroled into the U.S.;
• Anyone who applied for certain immigration benefits like lawful residency—even if denied;
• Anyone issued a Border Crossing Card;
• Anyone who has received a work permit (Employment Authorization Document);
• Anyone placed in deportation proceedings.

In fact, millions of immigrants—including many without lawful status—are already considered registered due to these conditions.

Who IS Required to Register?

You must register if:

• You are 14 or older, staying in the U.S. for 30 days or more, and were not registered or fingerprinted when entering;
• You’re a parent or guardian of an alien under 14 who wasn’t registered upon entry;
• You’ve recently turned 14 in the U.S., and you must register within 30 days of your birthday;
• You entered the U.S. without inspection or crossed the border illegally;
• You’re a Canadian visitor who entered without receiving Form I-94 or other registration evidence.

What Does Registration Mean?

Registration itself is not an immigration status—it doesn’t grant you any immigration rights, benefits, or employment authorization. Registration means providing DHS with personal and immigration-related information, including biometrics (fingerprints), unless waived. Once registered, DHS issues a document that serves as proof of registration, which you must carry at all times if you’re 18 or older.

Acceptable Proof of Registration Documents

Acceptable proof includes:

• Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94): Evidence of lawful entry.
• Green Card (I-551): Proof of permanent resident status.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766): Shows permission to work.
• Notice of Action issued by USCIS.
• Refugee Travel Document: Confirms refugee identity.
• Certificate of Naturalization: Proof of U.S. citizenship after naturalization.

Risks and Penalties

It’s crucial to understand the penalties for non-compliance:

• Willful failure to register yourself or your minor child can lead to misdemeanor criminal charges, a fine of up to $5,000, or imprisonment up to 6 months, or both, under 8 U.S.C. § 1306(a).
• Additionally, all registered aliens aged 18 and older must carry proof of registration at all times. Failing to carry this proof can result in misdemeanor charges, fines up to $5,000, or imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both, under 8 U.S.C. § 1304(e).

The new registration policy forces “unregistered” immigrants into a challenging situation. Choosing to submit the designated form to the federal government may put them at risk of being placed in removal proceedings.

Choosing not to submit it may put them at risk of future criminal prosecution for failing to register if apprehended by ICE at a later point. Additionally, it raises the possibility that immigrants who are already registered—including those with legal status—may be arrested and prosecuted for failing to carry proof of their registration with them at all times or failing to provide it to law enforcement when asked (once the rule goes into effect).

It is essential that individuals who may be affected by this policy consult with a competent and reputable immigration lawyer, if at all possible, to receive the most appropriate advice for their circumstances.

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