Alien Registration Process Following President Trump’s Executive Order

March 14, 2025

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” This Executive Order directed the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) to ensure that foreign nationals residing in the U.S. comply with their duty to register with the government under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”). This is a rarely invoked statute that, to date, has not been enforced by the federal government.

Under Section 262 of the INA, all foreign nationals 14 years of age or older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting.

In line with President Trump’s Executive Order, USCIS has updated its policies regarding this requirement, with the following key updates:

1. Mandatory Registration:  All noncitizens aged 14 and older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Parents and guardians must ensure that their children below the age of 14 are registered, and children must re-register within 30 days of turning 14. This includes foreign nationals without lawful immigration status and visa-exempt Canadians.
2. Registration Process: Starting April 11, 2025, Registrants must complete and submit Form G-325R through a USCIS online account. Each registrant must have their own individual USCIS online account. This includes foreign nationals under the age of 14. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a foreign national under the age of 14 who needs to register, you will need to set up an individual USCIS online account on your child’s behalf and in their name. Once you create your or your child’s (if you are the parent or legal guardian of a foreign national under 14 years of age) USCIS online account, fill out an electronic version of the Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration). Upon submission, USCIS will review the information provided and determine next steps, which could include a biometric services appointment.
3. Evidence of Registration: Once registered and fingerprinted (if necessary), DHS will issue evidence of registration, which noncitizens over the age of 18 must carry at all times.
4. Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with the registration requirement will result in criminal and civil penalties, including misdemeanor prosecution and fines.

Please stay tuned to our website for further updates. If you have any questions about how the new Alien Registration process might affect you or your dependents, please contact your attorney directly. To schedule a new consultation with one of our attorneys, please complete our consultation request form.

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