Murthy Snapshot: New Alien Registration Process

On 25.Feb.2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced  the upcoming launch of a new alien registration process. While the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has long required the registration of most aliens who remain in the United States for 30 days or more, this requirement has not always been enforced. As we wait for more information from the USCIS, here are the key points you need to know:

• The INA requires the registration and fingerprinting of all unregistered aliens 14 years old and over who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or more. The registration and fingerprinting must occur before the conclusion of the 30 days. For an alien under 14 years old who otherwise meets these criteria, the alien’s parent or legal guardian must register the child.
• The vast majority of foreign nationals are already registered and do not need to now register again. This includes lawful permanent residents or certain individuals who have applied for permanent residence; someone admitted or paroled into the U.S. (even if the admission period or parole is now expired); someone in the U.S. who was issued an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, employment authorization document (EAD), or border crossing card; and certain other individuals.
• Any foreign national in the U.S. who turns 14 must register and be fingerprinted even if the individual was previously registered.
• Individuals who have entered without inspection and admission or parole must register, as do foreign nationals who were not issued evidence of registration, such as Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and certain foreign nationals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or temporary protected status (TPS).
• When an individual registers and appears for fingerprinting, the individual will receive evidence of registration, which an individual over the age of 18 must carry at all times.
• Failure to properly register can result in criminal and civil penalties, such as misdemeanor prosecution and fines.

Your Takeaway

Most foreign nationals present in the U.S. are already registered and are not required to take action at this time. For an individual required to register, the USCIS soon will announce a form and process to complete the registration requirement. In the meantime, the USCIS advises that an individual who is required to register make a USCIS online account to prepare for the process.

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