A 1940 law, known as the Alien Registration Act, requires that every foreign national (non U.S. citizen), including lawful permanent residents (aka green card holders) age 14 years or older who will be in the United States (U.S.) for 30 days or more, must be registered and fingerprinted. Although this requirement has not been enforced for many years, the Trump Administration began enforcing this law as of April 11, 2025.  Starting May 11, 2025, any non-US citizen children who will become 14 years old while in the United States, must re-register with the government and must be fingerprinted within 30 days of their 14th birthday.

To comply with the registration requirement, the administration created a new online G-325R for all unregistered foreign nationals to obtain “Proof of Alien Registration.” 

Who Needs to Register?

Many noncitizens, including some who lack legal status, are already considered registered (see “Who is considered Registered,” below.)

You must register if:

• You are a Canadian who entered the U.S. at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration (e.g. Form I-94);
• You entered the U.S. without inspection (you are undocumented) and have not otherwise been encountered by DHS or do not have a registration document;
• You applied for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who were not issued evidence of registration are included;
• You are a noncitizen child who turns 14 years of age while in the U.S. you must re-register with the government and must be fingerprinted within 30 days of your 14th birthday as of May 11, 2025. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s compliance and must register them with the government. 

Registering does not grant legal status and may result in the registrant being detained and placed in removal proceedings. Failure to register may result in civil and criminal penalties.

How to Register?

USCIS instructions on registration requirements, the additional new form for those not already registered, and how to submit the new form have been published here: Alien Registration Requirement | USCIS.

Steps to Register:

1. Set Up a myUSCIS Online Account
2. Complete and submit Form G-325R.
3. Attend a biometrics appointment
4. Receive proof of alien registration document
5. Download the Proof Registration from your USCIS online account

What are the consequences for not Registering or carrying proof of registration ?

A willful failure to register within 30 days and be fingerprinted could result in a misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00. Failure to carry evidence of registration is a misdemeanor and may result in imprisonment for up to 30 days and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00. It can also lead to:

• denial of future immigration benefits;
• removal from the US; and
• criminal charges if you register with false information.

Change of Address Requirements

Make sure you submit an AR-11 with USCIS within 10 days of changing your address, each and every time you move. Failing to update your address by submitting an AR-11 to DHS within 10 days of move is a misdemeanor and may result in imprisonment for up to 30 days and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00. Additionally, those who fail to comply with the above requirements may be placed into deportation/removal proceedings and/or may become ineligible for U.S. immigration benefits.

Who is Considered Registered?

If you are 14 years of age or older, have one of the documents listed below, and have been fingerprinted, you are already registered and have proof of your registration. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must carry one of these documents with you at all times.

• a green card (I-551) issued after age 14;
• Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired. Can be printed from the USCBP I-94 website at I-94 Official Website – Home Page
• immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before your most recent entry, unless it was issued before the age of 14;
• I-95, Crewmen’s Landing Permit—Crewmen arriving by vessel or aircraft;
• Border Crossing Card (Form I-185 Canadian; Form I-186 Mexican);
• parole document into the U.S. under INA §212(d)(5), even if it expired;
• a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport;
• a valid employment authorization card (I-766);
• Form I-862 or I-863 Notice to Appear (NTA)/Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge;
• permission to depart without the institution of deportation proceedings;

Until and unless you become a U.S. citizen:

1. If you do not hold one of the documents on the list below, then you may have a duty to submit Form G-325R, a new form.
2. These requirements apply to each non-citizen in the United States on an individual basis , including each family member and including children.

Questions?

Please note that due to the complexities and volume of questions, we will not be answering questions by telephone or email. You will need to schedule a Consultation meeting ($200). If you do not have one of the documents listed above, or if you wish to discuss the registration requirements further, please schedule a 30 minute telephone consultation at this LINK. Our fees to assist with the Registration will be offered after consultation.