“Alien Registration” Now Required – Who Must Comply?

In a sweeping move, the U.S. government has introduced a new alien registration requirement targeting non-citizens, including certain legal visa holders, residing in the U.S. for more than 30 days. Under the Interim Final Rule published by DHS, noncitizens who have not previously registered or been fingerprinted must now comply with new biometric and documentation procedures.

Key Requirements Under the New Rule:

• Individuals 14 years of age or older who weren’t registered when issued a visa and remain in the U.S. more than 30 days must register and be fingerprinted.
• Parents and guardians of children less than 14 years of age must apply for registration of the children who have not been previously registered.
• Noncitizens must carry proof of compliance at all times. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $5,000 in fines and 30 days imprisonment.
• Address changes must be reported to DHS within 10 days, or face similar penalties.

Who’s Required to Register?

• Nonimmigrant visa holders not previously fingerprinted who stay more than 30 days. This includes any child who obtained their nonimmigrant visa prior to 14 years old, they were not previously fingerprinted and are now 14 years old or older. Children must register within 30 days of turning 14 years old.
• Undocumented immigrants or those who entered without inspection.
• Canadian citizens who did not receive a Form I-94 and remain in the U.S. longer than 30 days.
• DACA and TPS recipients may need to register, depending on prior registration records.

Who’s Exempt? Those already registered, including:

• Green Card holders
• Those with valid I-94/I-94W records
• Holders of EADs or Border Crossing Cards
• Parolees and individuals already in immigration proceedings

How to Register: Submit Form G-325R via your MyUSCIS account. If fingerprinting is required, a biometrics appointment will be scheduled.

Important: Registration does not provide immigration status, work authorization, or a path to a green card. If anyone claims otherwise – it’s a scam.

What’s Next? Legal challenges are expected, but the policy takes effect on April 11, 2025. If you are unsure whether this rule applies to you, it’s crucial to get trusted legal guidance.

📞 Concerned about how this affects you or your employees? Contact VisaPro for expert immigration guidance at (202) 787-1944 or visit https://www.visapro.com/contact-us/ to schedule a consultation.

Stay informed. Stay compliant. Don’t wait until it’s too late.