On March 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) titled “Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration,” set to take effect on April 11, 2025. This rule mandates that certain noncitizens residing in the United States for 30 days or longer must register their presence with the federal government and provide biometric data.
Who Is Required to Register? The IFR specifies that all noncitizens aged14 and above who remain in the United States for 30 days or more are required to register and be fingerprinted, with limited exceptions such as certain visa holders who have already been registered and fingerprinted through their visa application process, and A and G visa holders. For noncitizens under the age of14, parents or legal guardians must register them, although fingerprinting is not required for this age group. Additionally, children who turn 14 while in the United States must apply in-person for registration and be fingerprinted within 30 days of their 14th birthday.
Who Is Exempt from Registration? The following noncitizens do not need to register under the new requirements:
- Temporary visitors staying less than 30 days (e.g., tourists on B-2visas who leave before the 30-day threshold).
- Noncitizens who already provided biometric data during a visa application and received an I-94 arrival record (e.g., H-1B and F-1 visa holders who entered legally with an I-94).
- A and G visa holders (diplomatic and government officials, including their families).
- Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)—they are already documented in the system.
- Certain Canadian visitors who enter at land ports of entry and receive an I-94. However, Canadians who stay for more than 30 days without an I-94 must register.
Implications for Specific Groups including Canadian Citizens: The IFR also impacts specific groups, such as Canadian visitors who enter the U.S. at a land port of entry and were not issued Form I-94 at admission. These individuals will be required to register if they remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer. To avoid this requirement, Canadians entering the U.S. for business purposes for 30 days or more should ensure they are issued a Form I-94, which serves as a registration document. The fee applied to the I-94 is $6.00.
Registration Process: To comply with the registration requirement, individuals must submit Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration), which is available for online filing through myUSCIS accounts. Upon submission, applicants aged 14 and above will be scheduled for a biometric appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center. After completing the biometrics, proof of alien registration with a unique identifier will be issued and posted to the applicant’s myUSCIS account. For Canadians and children under 14 who are required to register but for whom fingerprinting has been waived, the proof of alien registration will be created upon submission of Form G-325R.
Obligations and Penalties: Obligations and Penalties: Registered noncitizens aged 18 and over must carry proof of registration at all times. Failure to comply with the registration requirements, including:
- Not registering within 30 days,
- Not carrying proof of registration,
- Failing to report a change of address within 10 days, or
- Providing false information during registration.
These can result in serious legal consequences, including:
- Fines of up to $5,000
- Imprisonment for up to six months
- Placement in Removal Proceedings under INA § 240, potentially leading to deportation
- Expedited Removal under INA § 235(b) for individuals deemed inadmissible at a port of entry
- Bars on future admissibility, meaning failure to register could impact eligibility for future visas, adjustment of status, or even entry into the U.S.
Given these potential penalties, it is crucial for affected noncitizens to comply with the new registration requirements to avoid serious immigration consequences.
Background and Enforcement: This rule implements section 7 of Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which seeks to safeguard national security and public safety through stricter enforcement of immigration laws. The IFR designates a general registration option available to all unregistered foreign nationals regardless of their status.
Summary: The new registration requirements mark a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, affecting many long-term visitors. However, permanent residents, diplomatic personnel, and short-term visitors are exempt, providing clarity and reassurance to those unaffected. Given the potential penalties—including fines, removal proceedings, and future admissibility issues—it is essential for affected noncitizens to understand and comply with these new regulations.
If you have questions about whether you need to register, how to complete the process, or what to do if you failed to register on time, our firm can help. We provide legal guidance on immigration compliance and admissibility issues. Contact us today for a consultation and ensure that you meet your obligations under the new rule.