FAQ: What is the new Alien Registration Requirement?
Photo by Phil Desforges on Unsplash. On March 12, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new rule requiring individuals to register their presence and provide their fingerprints if they are in the U.S. for 30 days or more. Find out who needs to register, how to register, and more in our FAQ.
UPDATED: April 1, 2025
On March 31, 2025, a coalition of immigration advocacy groups filed a lawsuit blocking the implementation of the Alien Registration Rule. Learn more in our updated blog post.
What is the Alien Registration Requirement?
On March 12, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new rule requiring individuals to register their presence and provide their fingerprints if they are in the U.S. for 30 days or more.
Immigration law generally requires that all non-U.S. citizens present in the country for more than 30 days to register and be fingerprinted. This requirement is codified in the Smith Act of 1940, Public Law 76–670, 54 Stat. 670. Thus, this is not necessarily a new requirement.
What is new and what’s changed?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has created a dedicated webpage that clearly outlines who is already registered, who needs to register, how to register and more. The rule takes effect on April 11, 2025.
Who is already registered?
Most who are subject to the registration requirement may in fact be already registered by virtue of applying for a visa, an immigration benefit or having a case pending at immigration court. Those already registered include:
Lawful permanent residents/green card holders;
Individuals paroled into the United States for humanitarian reasons (Humanitarian Parole);
Those admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired;
Individuals in the United States who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas;
People who were placed into removal proceedings (deportation cases);
Anyone issued an employment authorization document (EAD)/work permit;
Individuals who have applied for lawful permanent residence using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, and provided fingerprints (unless waived), even if the applications were denied; and
Those who were issued Border Crossing Cards.
People in the above categories do not need to register. However, they are required to carry with them proof of registration at all times.
What documentation shows that I have complied with the registration requirement?
If one has one of the following, it is proof that one has been registered. One should carry this evidence at all times.
Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record;
Form I-95, Crewmen’s Landing Permit;
Form I-184, Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card;
Form I-185, Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card;
Form I-186, Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card;
Form I-221, Order to Show Cause and Notice of Hearing;
Form I-221S, Order to Show Cause, Notice of Hearing, and Warrant of Arrent of Aliens;
Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as the Green Card);
Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD)/work permit;
Form I-862, Notice to Appear, for those in removal proceedings;
Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge, for those whose cases have been referred to immigration court;
Valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport;
Proof of Registration upon submission of Form G-325R and completion of biometrics.
Who must register?
Most noncitizens currently present in the United States are already registered as noted above. However, individuals who entered the United States without inspection, such as those who crossed the border without being interviewed by a Customs Officer; Canadian visitors who entered through a land port of entry and were not issued an I-94 or other evidence of entry; and anyone who has already applied for an immigration benefit, including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration are required to register.
What are the penalties for failure to register?
Anyone who fails to comply with the registration requirement or the requirement to carry evidence of registration will be guilty of a misdemeanor and will, upon conviction, be fined not to exceed $5,000 or be imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both. Also, USCIS stresses the importance of informing them of any changes of addresses. Click here to find out how to change your address with USCIS.
What else should I know?
Registration is done through form G-325R which may be completed online. For more information on how to register and other important details about the registration requirement, read the USCIS dedicated webpage.
What is the lawsuit about?
The lawsuit, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:25-cv-00943 (D.D.C.), filed on behalf of several membership based nonprofit organizations that provide services to their members and larger communities, challenges the Alien Registration Rule asserting that DHS issued the rule without soliciting and addressing public comments, which allows the public to not only participate in decisions that affect them, their loved ones, and their communities but also helps the government identify and address any issues that a new rule causes.
Stay tuned as we monitor this and other developments. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr, for up-to-date immigration news.
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