IMPORTANT – Department of Homeland Security Now Enforcing Alien Registration Requirements for non-U.S. Citizens

April 11, 2025

Summary: The government has announced that it will begin enforcing existing registration requirements effective immediately.

Key takeaways

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

1. Make sure to have with you an immigration document from the list below at all times.
2. Make sure you submit an AR-11 with USCIS within 10 days of changing your address, each and every time you move.
3. 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.
4. These requirements apply to each non-citizen in the United States on an individual basis, including each family member and including children.

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.

Special considerations for children born outside the U.S.

1. If your non-US citizen children under 14 years of age do not have proof of registration, you must register them with the government as their parent or guardian, starting May 11, 2025.
2. If you have non-US citizen children who will become 14 years old while in the United States, they must re-register with the government and must be fingerprinted within 30 days of their 14^th birthday, starting May 11, 2025.
3. If your non-US citizen children are 18 or older, they must carry with them evidence of registration at all times.

Registration Requirements

The registration requirements generally mandate that all non-US citizens in the U.S. for over 30 days register with the government and carry proof of registration at all times. They also require registration of a change in address within 10 days of a move.

• Failure to register and be fingerprinted is a misdemeanor and may result in 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.
• Failure to submit 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.

List of Immigration Documents that Evidence Registration[1]

If you are over 14 years old, have one of the documents listed below, and have been fingerprinted, YOU HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED AND HAVE EVIDENCE OF YOUR REGISTRATION. Carry one of these documents with you at all times if you are not a U.S. citizen.

• I-551 Permanent Resident Card
• Form I-94 (Current or Expired) – Can be printed from the USCBP I-94 website at I-94 Official Website – Home Page
• I-766 Employment Authorization Card (EAD)
• Border Crossing Card (Form I-185 Canadian; Form I-186 Mexican)
• Valid Unexpired Non-immigrant DHS Admission or Parole Stamp in a Foreign Passport – A valid unexpired admission stamp (or I-551 stamp) in a foreign passport (the stamp can be in an expired passport)
• Form I-862 or I-863 Notice to Appear (NTA)/Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge
• NEW — Proof of Alien Registration document, to be issued by USCIS following submission of new Form G-325R and completion of related biometrics

Questions?

If you do not have one of the documents listed above, or if you wish to discuss the registration requirements further, please schedule a Registration Consultation ($500). Payment is required to schedule and hold an appointment time.  Our fee to assist you in retrieving and printing your I-94 record from the US CBP website is $475, inclusive of courier fees.

Please note that due to the complexities and volume of questions, we will not be answering questions by email. You will need to schedule a Registration Consultation. You may email info@nullharrisvisalaw.com to request a Registration Consultation.

[1] This is not an exhaustive list of all qualifying documents.