Effective April 11, 2025, the Trump administration reinstated a long-dormant immigration requirement that could affect millions of noncitizens currently in the United States. At the Law Offices of Sabrina Li, we are committed to empowering immigrant communities through clear and actionable legal guidance. In this post, we explain what this revived federal registration mandate means—and how you or your loved ones can remain in compliance and protect your rights.
What is Alien Registration?
Alien registration is not new. Under the Alien Registration Act of 1940, every noncitizen aged 14 or older who plans to remain in the U.S. for 30 days or more must be registered and fingerprinted. Moreover, noncitizens 18 and older are legally required to carry proof of registration at all times. Though this law has existed for decades, it had rarely been enforced—until now.
The Trump administration has resumed enforcement as of April 11, 2025, requiring millions of unregistered noncitizens to take immediate action to comply. To comply, individuals must now submit a newly created online form: USCIS Form G-325R.
Proof of Registration Requirements
Per the Trump administration’s recent USCIS notice, noncitizens aged 18 and over who are subject to registration must always carry proof of it. The USCIS notice also reiterates that failure to comply with this requirement carries legal consequences. Any noncitizen age 18 or older who is required to register and does not carry evidence of registration may be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the penalties for this offense can include a fine not to exceed $5,000, imprisonment for a period not to exceed 30 days, or both.
Who is Already Considered Registered?
You are generally considered already registered if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
- People paroled into the U.S. under INA §212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired
- People admitted to the U.S. as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if expired
- All people present in the U.S. (except those under the age of 14), who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival
- People placed into removal proceedings
- People granted permission to depart without the institution of deportation proceedings.
- People with a valid Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)
Who Doesn’t Need to Register?
- You are a U.S. citizen
- You entered the U.S. on a diplomatic (A visa) or international organization (G visa) visa
- You are staying in the U.S. for less than 30 days
- You are an American Indian born in Canada with at least 50% Native blood and are present under the authority of U.S. law (8 U.S.C. §1359)
- You’ve already provided fingerprints and applied for lawful permanent residence using forms such as I-485—even if your application was denied
- You have already been registered and fingerprinted as part of your visa application process
Who must register?
If you are not already registered or exempt, and you entered the U.S. on or after April 11, 2025 with plans to stay 30 days or more, you must register within 30 days of entry. This includes:
- Canadians who entered the U.S. at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration (e.g. Form I-94).
- Individuals who entered without inspection and do not have any DHS-issued registration document.
- Noncitizen children who turn 14 years old while in the U.S. must register/re-register within 30 days of their 14th birthday. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s compliance.
Important: Registering does not grant any form of lawful status and may lead to detention and removal proceedings. We strongly advise speaking with an immigration attorney before submitting Form G-325R.
How to register?
To fulfill the Alien Registration requirement, eligible individuals must first create a USCIS online account and then submit Form G-325R electronically. Each person needing to register must have their own account, including children under 14 (for whom a parent/guardian will create and manage the account). You can begin the process by creating a USCIS online account here: myaccount.uscis.gov/create-account. After you complete your registration and provide biometrics (if required), USCIS will issue your registration proof. This document, titled "USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration," will be available for download and printing as a PDF in your USCIS online account.
What documents count as proof of registration?
While 8 CFR §264.1(b) lists several official documents, USCIS has recognized additional acceptable records. These include:
- I-94 or I-94W (even if expired)
- I-95 (Crewman’s Landing Permit)
- I-184, I-185, I-186 (Border Crossing Cards)
- I-221, I-221S, I-862, I-863 (Notices of immigration proceedings)
- I-766 (Employment Authorization Document)
- I-551 (Green Card)
- Valid DHS admission/parole stamp in a foreign passport
Penalties for Failure to Register and Failure to Carry Proof
Noncitizens age 18 or older must carry proof of their Alien Registration at all times. Failure to comply with the registration requirements can result in significant legal consequences. A willful failure to register may be classified as a misdemeanor, carrying penalties of a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months. Furthermore, providing false documents during registration is a separate criminal offense and can be grounds for removal. Even failing to carry proof of registration can lead to a fine of up to $5000 and/or a jail sentence of up to 30 days. Beyond these immediate penalties, not registering can also negatively impact future immigration applications; the government may deny an immigration benefit or visa due to the failure to register.
Concerned About How Registration Might Affect You?
If you’re uncertain about your status or concerned that registering might negatively affect your case, it’s critical to understand your rights and legal options. At the Law Offices of Sabrina Li, our experienced attorneys provide personalized guidance to help you navigate this evolving policy safely and confidently. Contact us today at info@sabrinali.law or 213-375-8096 to schedule a confidential consultation.
