Know Your Rights: Trump’s Registration Requirement for Immigrants

This resource provides critical information for community members about the newly announced registration process for some undocumented immigrants, including potential risks such as detention, deportation, and legal consequences. Community members with questions about registration and how it might impact them should consult trusted immigration lawyers and monitor trusted sources of information.

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Organization Source:
National Immigration Law Center (NILC) 

Organization Website:
https://www.nilc.org/ 

Categories:
Immigration Enforcement (IE) | IE – Registration

 Date Last Updated: April 10, 2025 

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Who is the government telling to register their information?

The government’s new rule says that adults and children over 14 years old who entered the U.S. without permission and haven’t had contact with immigration authorities must now register. If you’ve ever applied for an immigration status or benefit or been in deportation proceedings, you might already be considered to have registered – see more information below. The government is also telling parents or legal guardians of children under 14 years old who entered without permission and have never had any contact with immigration authorities to register their children. Finally, the government is telling all non-citizens who it says are required to register to tell the government within ten days of any change of address.

 

Who is considered to have already registered?

The government considers many groups of people, including some people without lawful status, to have already registered with the government. According to the new rule the government published, the following groups of people are considered to have already registered, although it’s best to talk to an experienced immigration lawyer to understand your specific situation.

  • Green card holders (lawful permanent residents)
  • People who were granted parole, including advance parole (even if that parole has expired)
  • People who came to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa (even if it has expired)
  • People who are already in immigration court (removal) proceedings
  • People granted employment authorization on any basis (even if it has expired)
  • Refugees
  • People who applied for lawful permanent residence (even if the application was denied)
  • People who have border crossing cards or entered the U.S. as a “crewman”

What is the actual process of registration?

The new registration rule explains how the process of registration will work for people who decide to register. The first step is to create an online account with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The second step is to fill out and submit a new form through that account called Form G-325R, which asks for personal information (more details on this below). After the form is submitted, USCIS will send the person registering an appointment notice to get fingerprinted at a USCIS service center. At the appointment, officials will collect fingerprints, photos, and a signature. The government will then run background checks, including a criminal history check. Once that’s done, the government creates a “Proof of Alien Registration” document, which will then be available in the person’s USCIS online account.

 

What happens if I register my information?

What could happen will depend on your individual situation. Both complying with registration and failing to comply may have negative, life lasting consequences. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that the goal of the registration process is to force people to leave the United States.

If you are undocumented and have not had contact with immigration authorities before, registering could have immigration and criminal consequences.

  • Immigration consequences: The government could – and has stated that it likely would – try to arrest and deport you using the information you provide when you register. Depending on your individual situation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might send you a letter telling you to report to an ICE office. When you report, ICE might detain you or put you in deportation proceedings. If you can’t show you have been in the U.S. for longer than two years, ICE could put you in “expedited removal,” a fast-track deportation process that allows ICE to deport people quickly without any chance to go before a judge.
  • Criminal consequences: Coming forward to register may also make you vulnerable to the government charging you with a migration-related criminal offense. If you have been in the U.S. for less than five years and entered without inspection, you might be vulnerable to being charged with the federal crime of illegal entry. If you were deported from the U.S. before and later returned by crossing the border without authorization, the government might be able to charge you with the federal crime of illegal reentry.

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