Policy Update: DHS Issues Noncitizen Registration Requirement
Last update: 4/28/2025
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," mandating the enforcement of existing noncitizen registration laws under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This directive requires certain noncitizens residing in the United States to register with the federal government, starting February 25, 2025. This update provides detailed guidance on this requirement.
The following individuals are required to register:
Noncitizens aged 14 and older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who have remained in the United States for 30 days or longer. Registration must occur before the expiration of this 30-day period.
Parents or legal guardians of noncitizens under 14 years of age who were not registered upon entry and have been in the United States for 30 days or longer. Registration on behalf of these minors must also occur within the 30-day timeframe.
Noncitizens turning 14 years old who were previously registered. They are required to re-register and undergo fingerprinting within 30 days after their 14th birthday.
Please note that Canadians who plan to stay in the United States for 30 days or more are also subject to the registration requirements.
The following individuals are considered already registered:
Lawful permanent residents.
Noncitizens paroled into the United States under INA 212(d)(5), even if the parole period has expired.
Nonimmigrants admitted with Form I-94 or I-94W, regardless of whether the admission period has expired.
Noncitizens issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas prior to arrival.
Individuals placed into removal proceedings by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Noncitizens granted employment authorization documents (EADs).
Applicants for lawful permanent residence using specific forms, even if their applications were denied.
Holders of Border Crossing Cards.
How to register:
To complete the registration process, individuals must first create a personal USCIS online account at my.uscis.gov. Each person, including minors, must have their own separate account. Once the account is established, the registrant must complete and submit Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration), which is available only through the individual’s USCIS account. This form cannot be submitted by mail, in person, or through a legal representative’s account.
The form collects personal and background information, including a five-year address history, activities and intentions in the U.S., estimated departure date, any criminal history, and information about immediate family members. Supporting documents, particularly those related to criminal records, can be uploaded as part of the form submission.
After the form is submitted, USCIS will determine whether biometrics are required. If so, the individual will be scheduled for a fingerprinting appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center. Biometrics requirements are waived for certain individuals, such as Canadian nationals and children under the age of 14. If biometrics are waived or already completed, no further steps are needed.
Failure to comply with these registration requirements may result in criminal and civil penalties, including misdemeanor prosecution, fines up to $5,000, and imprisonment for up to 6 months. Parents who fail to register their children are subject to the same penalty.
Carrying proof of registration:
Once registration and any required biometrics are complete, individuals should download and print their proof of registration from their USCIS account. All noncitizens age 18 and older are legally required to carry this documentation at all times while in the United States.
Please note that this requirement applies not only to those registering under the new process but to all noncitizens age 18 and older. Document that serves as proof of registration may vary depending on the individual’s registration type. For example, an individual in H-1B status must carry their Form I-94 at all times, while conditional and permanent green card holders are required to carry their green cards at all times.
Noncompliance may result in a misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both, for each offense.
