Understanding
Foreign Foreign nationals who remain in the U.S. for less than 30 days are not required to register.
Failure to comply may expose you to criminal or civil penalties, but registering also means providing
sensitive personal information to USCIS that may be used in future enforcement actions.This
makes it important for noncitizens to consult with an immigration attorney before registering. ( ) In this blog post you will learn what the registration requirement is about, who is required to register, the risks of registering, and information about the registration process.
What is the Alien Registration Requirement?
The requirement for foreign nationals to register with the U.S. government is not new–it began in 1940, when Congress first passed a law requiring all foreign nationals to register with the federal government, to provide biographic details (fingerprints), and carry proof of their registration.
Most foreign nationals have been unaware of this requirement because the vast majority are considered “automatically registered” when undergoing the routine visa issuance process and lawfully entering the United States through a port of entry.
However, the alien registration requirement had one glaring flaw. Those who entered the country unlawfully had no way to comply with the registration requirement and meet their obligations under the law.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to enforce the alien registration requirement on foreign nationals who entered the country without inspection, by creating a way for them to register with the U.S. government and meet their obligations.
To address this issue, the U.S. Citizens This new form provides unregistered aliens an avenue to register and comply with the alien registration requirement.
USCIS notes that failure to comply may result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanor prosecution, the imposition of fines, and incarceration.
Who is already registered?
There are several classes of immigrants who are considered “automatically registered,” and
DO NOT need to worry about the alien registration requirement.These individuals include:
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Aliens paroled into the United States
- under INA 212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expiredAliens 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 expiredAll
- aliens present in the United States who were issuedimmigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrivalAliens
- whom DHS has placed into removal proceedingsAliens
- issued an employment authorization documentAliens who have applied for lawful permanent residence
- (a green card) using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, and provided fingerprints (unless waived), even if the applications were denied andAliens issued
- Border Crossing Cards.If you were issued one of the above documents, you have already registered.
Non-US citizens over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their personal possession at all time proof of their registration.Who must register?
Foreign nationals not falling under one of the above categories may be required to register by filing Form G-325R, Biometric Information (Registration) with USCIS.
These include:
Foreign national children who turn 14 years of age in the United States, regardless of whether they were previously registered. The application for registration must be submitted within 30 days of the child’s 14th birthday.
- Canadian visitors not issued a Form I-94 when entering the United States, typically at a land port of entry. The Canadian citizen travelers may reference the U.S. Mission to Canada webpage on this topic.
- Foreign nationals who entered the United States without inspection and admission, and who are not otherwise registered.
- DISCLAIMER: IMPORTANT WARNINGS BEFORE REGISTERING
The decision whether to register is one that should be made with the careful guidance of an immigration attorney. Please be aware of the following precautions
before registering:No Legal Protections Granted
Registration
- does not grant any immigration status, protection from removal, or work authorization.It does
- not protect against deportation if you’re otherwise out of status.Disclosure of Personal Information
By registering, you are voluntarily providing
- sensitive personal information such as your residential, criminal history, and other biometric data to the Department of Homeland Security.This could be used in future immigration enforcement, especially for those unlawfully present or with prior violations.
- Potential Immigration Consequences
If you’re in the U.S. without lawful status, registering could potentially make your information more accessible to government agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which may increase the risk of enforcement actions such as removal from the United States.
- What is the Registration Process?
You may register and submit Form G-325R with USCIS by creating a USCIS Online account and completing the form. The form cannot be submitted by mail or in person.
Submit Form G-325R: DHS has introduced a new Form G-325R, which is now available in individual USCIS online accounts and will be used to collect the registration data. The The form G-325R is not available on legal representative accounts and must be submitted through the applicant’s own individual account.
- Attend Fingerprint Appointment: Once the G-325R has been submitted, USCIS will review the application to determine if scheduling a Biometrics Services Appointment is required at the USCIS Application Support Center. The If fingerprinting is waived, the applicant can download “Proof of Alien Registration” once G-325R is submitted.
- Download Proof of Registration and Carry at All Times: Once registration and fingerprinting (if required) are completed, the individual will be able to download and print proof of registration from their USCIS online account, which they must carry with them at all times if 18 or older.
- For step-by-step information about how to register, please click here.
What is Acceptable Proof of Registration?
Acceptable Proof of Registration includes any of the following:
Proof of Registration issued by USCIS following submission of G-325R online and completion of biometrics (if required)
- Alternate Proof of Registration: If the applicant has one of the following documents, this is sufficient proof that the individual is ALREADY registered:
- Please see the full list of acceptable documents at 8 CFR 264.1(b)
Form I-94,
-
- Arrival-Departure Record – noncitizens admitted as nonimmigrants, noncitizens paroled into the U.S. under 212(d)(5) of the INA, noncitizens who claimed to have entered prior to July 1, 1924, and noncitizens granted permission to depart without the institution of deportation proceedingsForm I-551
- , Permanent Resident CardForm I-766
- , Employment Authorization Document (EAD)Form I-862
- , Notice to Appear, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being institutedForm I-863
- , Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being institutedValid,
- unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport andForm I-186
- , Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card.Final Takeaways
Please review the official USCIS announcement to understand whether you have already complied with the registration requirement or fall into a category of those who are not registered.
Before registering, please contact your Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick Immigration Attorney for further guidance and an informed understanding of the risks associated with registering.
As a reminder, proof of registration is not an immigration status and does not establish employment authorization or any other immigration benefit under the INA or any U.S. law.
Contact Us.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.Helpful Links
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