General guidance on the Alien Registration Requirement and obligation to carry proof of registration, and general "Know Your Rights" reference materials
Registration and Evidence of Status & Know Your Rights Materials
Know Your Rights: If ICE Visits Your Home
All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights. If you are undocumented and immigration (ICE) agents knock on your door, know that you have the following rights:
You do not have to open the door. You do not have to open the door or let the officers into your home unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a judge.
An ICE deportation warrant is not the same as a search If this is the only document they have, they cannot legally come inside unless you verbally agree to let them in.
If the officers say they have a search warrant signed by a judge, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can see it.
If the warrant does not have your correct name and address on it and is not signed by a judge you do not have to open the door or let them inside.
If at any point you decide to speak with the officers, you do not need to open the door to do so. You can speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door.
You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak to the immigration officers or answer any questions.
If you are asked where you were born or how you entered the United States, you may refuse to answer or remain silent.
If you choose to remain silent, say “I choose to remain silent.”
You may show a know-your-rights card (English) (Spanish) to the officer that explains that you will remain silent and wish to speak to a lawyer.
You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.
Do not show any false documents and do not lie.
You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to seek an attorney and to receive a phone call from your attorney. Ask for a copy of the Detainee Handbook to understand the Detention Center’s rules.
Even if you do not have a lawyer, you may tell the immigration officers that you want to speak to one.
If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono lawyers.
You also have the right to contact your consulate. The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.
You can refuse to sign any/all paperwork until you have had the opportunity to speak to a lawyer.
If you choose to sign something without speaking to a lawyer, be sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it.
You have the right to speak to request to make a phone call to family members or friends for free if you do not have enough money in your account after 10 days.
This flyer is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should not act or rely on any information in this flyer without seeking the advice of a competent, licensed immigration attorney. For more information on how this might apply to your case, please contact your immigration attorney.
Obligation to Carry Evidence of Registration in the United States
New Alien Registration Requirements Effective as of April 11, 2025
Registration Requirements
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published an Interim Final Rule requiring certain non-US citizens in the US for 30 days or more to register with DHS and carry proof of registration. This new rule takes effect April 11, 2025. Failure to register and/or carry proof of registration subjects one to possible deportation, criminal fines and/or imprisonment. The registration and fingerprinting requirement applies to individuals 14 and older.
Many foreign nationals legally present in the U.S. are already considered registered. This includes permanent residents (green card holders), EAD holders, and nonimmigrants who were issued a Form I-94 on admission as well as individuals issued nonimmigrant visas prior to last date of arrival. The registration requirement does not only apply to individuals who are unlawfully present. Individuals who have held valid status in the U.S. may still be subject to the requirement.
Please refer to this website, which provides links and instructions on registration: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration
We highlight below specific components of the “Alien Registration” requirement:
Children Required to Register
Children who were admitted to the U.S. before age 14 and later turn 14 within the U.S. will still be required to complete registration. This is true even if, when admitted to the US, these children had a valid visa and were issued a Form I-94. Note that children who became permanent residents prior to the age of 14 must also register, since they did not complete biometrics during the green card process. The existing process to complete biometrics is to submit a Form I-90 application for a replacement green card. This new registration requirement may be in addition to that application.
Parents and legal guardians are responsible for registering children who have not yet been registered, and who remain in the US for 30 days or more. Children under 14 are not required to complete fingerprinting before they reach the age of 14 and then have 30 days to provide fingerprinting through the appropriate process at that time.
As of April 11, 2025, individuals must create a USCIS online account and submit Form G-325R “Biographic Information (Registration)” to complete registration. For individuals 14 years of age or older, submission will trigger the scheduling of a biometrics appointment notice to a USCIS Application Support Center.
Business Visitors, Tourists and Canadians
Visitors who enter the US using ESTA, and Canadian citizens who enter the US pursuant to USMCA, who remain in the US for 30 or more days, must make sure they are issued a Form I-94 to prove their registration. The new rule specifically states that “Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration” must register. Canadian citizens may not be subject to the fingerprinting requirements.
Required to Carry Documents
United States law requires all foreign nationals aged 18 and over to carry with them (i.e., in their personal possession) evidence of their lawful visa status at all times. Failure to comply with this requirement is a misdemeanor and is punishable by deportation, fines, imprisonment, or any combination of these.
Foreign nationals (including permanent residents) in the United States should therefore carry with them documents appropriate to their US visa status. While the documents to carry vary depending on visa status, they would typically involve the following (note that some of these documents, such as a foreign passport, do not also document registration):
Green card (Form I-551) or similar evidence, such as I-551 ADIT stamp in passport, Form I-90 receipt, Form I-751 receipt, etc. (if applicable)
Current passport
Latest visa stamp in the passport (if applicable)
Current USCIS I-797 approval notice for current nonimmigrant status (if applicable)
Current Form I-94
Current Form I-20 (for F-1 visa status holders, if applicable)
Current Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa status holders, if applicable)
Current Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document (if applicable)
It is unclear whether a hard copy of the registration document(s) will be sufficient, as ICE/CBP may demand to see original documents. Presenting a digital copy on your phone may subject your phone to further search, so hard copies may be preferable if not presenting originals. We strongly recommend that you carry original documents.
Please see information on passport validity:
Required to Notify USCIS of Changes of Address
In addition to this new registration requirement, all foreign nationals in the United States must continue to notify USCIS of changes of residential addresses within 10 days of any move. This is done by either notifying USCIS online (“Enterprise Change of Address”, or “E-COA”) via each foreign national’s My.USCIS account, or by mailing in a paper Form AR-11. Form AR-11 can no longer be submitted electronically. Keep in mind that you must submit a separate E-COA or AR-11 for each foreign national family member.
Foreign nationals should keep copies of dated submissions. Form G-325R requires address history by specific date.
Potential Penalties for Failure to Register/False Statements:
Any alien who willfully fails or refuses to apply to register or be fingerprinted (if required), and any parent or legal guardian who is required to apply for the registration on behalf of an alien less than 14 years of age, and who willfully fails or refuses to file an application for the registration of such alien, will be guilty of a misdemeanor. If convicted, they may be fined up to $5,000 or imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both. Also, any individual who files a registration application containing false statements or attempts to procure their own registration or another individual’s registration by fraud is subject to criminal prosecution. Conviction for fraudulent registration constitutes grounds for deportability.
There is no option for attorney representation in submitting Form G-325R. If guidance beyond this notice is desired, we are available for a consultation to review and provide counsel on specific situations; our standard consultation fee would apply.
Additional Resources
Please refer to this FAQ published by the National Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/resources/faq-the-trump-immigration-registration-requirement/
DISCLAIMER: This information is intended for clients of Jackson & Hertogs only and is not intended to provide legal advice to non-clients of this firm, who should seek legal counsel in these matters.