On February 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced enforcement of an existing law requiring undocumented immigrants to register with the federal government, be fingerprinted, and notify the government of address changes. DHS said that failure to register “is a crime that could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.”

DHS said those who “must apply for registration” include:

  • “All aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days.
  • The parents and legal guardians of aliens less than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, prior to the expiration of those 30 days.
  • Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th“

Those who “have not registered” include:

  • “Aliens who are present in the United States without inspection and admission or inspection and parole;
  • Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration; and
  • Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or Temporary Protected Status, who were not issued evidence of registration.”

American Indians born in Canada who entered the United States under section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and members of the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians who entered the United States under the Texas Band of Kickapoo Act, are not required to register.

DHS said it would soon announce a form and process for registration. “Beginning Feb. 25, 2025, aliens required to register should create a USCIS online account in preparation for the registration process. See our How to Create a USCIS Online Account page for more information. Once the registration process is implemented, aliens will submit their registration, and parents and guardians will submit registration applications on behalf of their children under 14, through their USCIS online account.”

Greg Chen, a senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said the registration requirement could lead to a “nationwide show-me-your-papers regime.” It remains to be seen how many undocumented immigrants will be inclined to register or how the registration requirement will be enforced. In the meantime, DHS reportedly asked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the home addresses of about 700,000 people believed to be in the United States without authorization and requested auditors and criminal investigators to probe businesses suspected of hiring unauthorized workers. The IRS refused to provide the home addresses to DHS but is looking for other ways to help.