Alien registration requirement

DHS announces new immigrant qualification

     FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 19, 2025) –  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new alien registration requirement, which requires all aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a United States visa and who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer, to apply for registration and fingerprinting. Parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered.

     Once an alien has registered and appeared for fingerprinting (unless waived), DHS will issue evidence of registration, which aliens over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their personal possession at all times.

     “On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which directed the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that aliens comply with their duty to register with the government under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1302), and ensure that failure to comply with the registration requirement is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority,” (USCIS). 

Who is already registered?

• Lawful permanent residents;
• Aliens paroled into the U.S. under INA 212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired;
• Aliens admitted to the U.S. as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired;
• All aliens present in the U.S. who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival;
• Aliens whom DHS has placed into removal proceedings;
• Aliens issued an employment authorization document;
• Aliens 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
• Aliens issued Border Crossing Cards.

The following forms/documents are proof of registration:

• I-94, Arrival-Departure Record—Aliens admitted as nonimmigrants; aliens paroled into the U.S. under section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; aliens whose claimed entry prior to July 1, 1924, cannot be verified, they having satisfactorily established residence in the U.S. since prior to July 1, 1924; and aliens granted permission to depart without the institution of deportation proceedings.
• I-95, Crewmen's Landing Permit—Crewmen arriving by vessel or aircraft.
• I-184, Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card—Crewmen arriving by vessel.
• I-185, Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card—Citizens of Canada or British subjects residing in Canada.
• I-186, Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card—Citizens of Mexico residing in Mexico.
• I-221, Order to Show Cause and Notice of Hearing—Aliens against whom deportation proceedings are being instituted.
• I-221S, Order to Show Cause, Notice of Hearing, and Warrant for Arrest of Alien—Aliens against whom deportation proceedings are being instituted.
• I-551, Permanent Resident Card—Lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
• I-766, Employment Authorization Document.
• Form I-862, Notice to Appear—Aliens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted.
• Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge—Aliens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted.
• Valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport constitutes evidence of registration.

Who is not registered?

     Anyone who has not applied to the Department of State for a visa, been issued one of the documents listed above, or has not submitted one of the forms and provided fingerprints (unless waived) is not registered. Aliens who have not registered include:

• Aliens present in the U.S. without inspection and admission or inspection and parole who have not otherwise registered (that is, aliens who crossed the border illegally);
• Canadian visitors who entered the U.S. at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration (such as an I-94).
• Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed above as "already registered,' including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed above.

How to Register?

• Step 1: Create a USCIS Online Account

     To register, you must first create a USCIS online account.

     Each alien submitting Form G-325R must have their own individual USCIS online account. This includes aliens under the age of 14. If you are the parent or legal guardian of an alien 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.

• Step 2: Submit Form G-325R

     Once you create your or your child’s (if you are the parent or legal guardian of an alien under 14 years of age) USCIS online account, fill out an electronic version of the Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration). Form G-325R must be filed online through a USCIS online account. It cannot be filed by mail or in person.

     Each alien who needs to register must submit Form G-325R from the alien’s individual USCIS online account. Form G-325R can only be submitted by the named owner of the USCIS online account. If you are the parent or legal guardian of an alien under the age of 14 who needs to register, you will need to submit Form G-325R on the alien’s behalf through their individual USCIS online account.

• Step 3: USCIS review of Form G-325R

     Once you have submitted Form G-325R, USCIS will review the information you provided and any DHS records that are available about you. If it appears that you have already complied with the registration requirements in some other way and do not need to submit Form G-325R, USCIS will notify you that you have already complied with the registration requirement. If you have already registered as required under INA 262, USCIS will not schedule you for a biometric services appointment or provide you with evidence of registration. If it appears that you are required to register, USCIS will review your Form G-325R to determine if you are required to appear for a biometric services appointment.

• Step 4: Attend appointment for biometrics collection

     If you are required to register and provide biometrics, USCIS will schedule you for a biometric services appointment at one of our Application Support Centers (ASCs).

• Step 5: Receive registration documentation

     Once you have registered and provided your biometrics (if required), we will post a notice (USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration) that provides proof of your registration to your USCIS online account. In your USCIS online account, you will be allowed to download a PDF version of the notice and can print it. 

What are the Penalties for Failure to Register?

     All aliens 18 years of age and over in the U.S. required to register under INA 262, including but not limited to those who register using this new process, must carry and have in their personal possession evidence of their registration at all times.

• Criminal Penalties for Failure to Carry Evidence of Registration

     Any alien required to register who is 18 years of age and older and who fails to comply with the requirement that they carry evidence of registration, and have in their personal possession evidence of registration will be guilty of a misdemeanor and will upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $5,000 or be imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both.

• Address Updates

     All aliens in the U.S. must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving.

• Criminal and Immigration Penalties for Failure to Update Your Address with USCIS

     Each alien required to be registered under the alien registration requirements of the INA who is within the U.S. must notify USCIS in writing of each change of address and new address within 10 days from the date of such change and provide such additional information as the secretary of homeland security may require by regulation. Noncompliance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. In addition, any alien who has failed to comply with the change-of-address notification requirements is deportable unless the alien establishes that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful.

About DeMine Immigration Law Firm     

DeMine Immigration Law Firm is a privately-held immigration law firm that practices all areas of immigration law and serves clients worldwide. The company has two offices based in Southwest Florida, one at 1601 Hendry St. in Fort Myers and one at 1400 E Kimdale St. E Suite 8 in Lehigh Acres. DeMine Immigration Law Firm employs 15 people under President Indera DeMine. The company’s mission statement is to help clients achieve their American dream. For more information, visit www.DeMineImmigration.com, follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok or call 239-208-2680. 

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CONTACT: 

Kate McCartney

In-House Marketing Coordinator                                                          

239-208-2680

kate@demineimmigration.com