On March 12, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services published the Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register, “Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration,” that became effective on April 11, 2025. This rule requires all non-U.S. citizens over the age of 14 to register and be fingerprinted if they remain in the United States for 30 days or longer and have not completed registration or fingerprinting processes through a visa application or other acceptable immigration process. Parents and legal guardians must ensure their non-U.S. children below the age of 14 are registered, but these children will not need to complete fingerprinting until they reach the age of 14.
This rule was born out of the Trump Administration’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14159, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enforce longstanding alien registration requirements under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. § 1302).
Under the rule, all non-U.S. citizens ages 18 and older must carry proof of registration at all times. Failure to register and/or present valid proof of registration could trigger civil penalties of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. These same civil penalties and misdemeanor charges are extended to the parents or guardians of children who fail to register. The rule also includes criminal penalties for an alien's failure to report a change of address within 10 days of the change, if the alien is subject to the registration process.
Who Must Register
Effective April 11, 2025, all non-U.S. citizens who will remain in the U.S. for more than 30 days and who did NOT complete the registration process in connection with a visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) admission are required to register, including:
- Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and do not have an I-94 record;
- Non-U.S. citizen children below the age of 14 who have not previously registered and who will remain in the United States for 30 days or more (not required to complete fingerprinting until they turn 14);
- All non-U.S. citizen children, regardless of previous registration, who turn 14 years of age in the United States must update their registration and be fingerprinted within 30 days after their 14th birthday;
- Persons who entered without inspection and who have not been fingerprinted in connection with any pending application for immigration benefits;
- Permanent residents who obtained their green cards when under the age of 14 must register and complete fingerprinting through a Form I-90 (not G-325R); and
- Non-U.S. citizens who submitted a benefit request to USCIS and who do not yet have Alternate Proof of Registration, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants, and were not issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or other acceptable proof of registration, must register with Form G-325R.
Registrants must submit personal information, including fingerprints and home addresses, through the USCIS online system. Each individual must create a separate USCIS online account and complete Form G-325R, "Biographic Information (Registration)."
Who Is Not Required to Register
The majority of foreign nationals in the United States legally are not required to register:
- Foreign nationals who remain in the United States for fewer than 30 days;
- Nonimmigrants and those already considered to be registered, including those present on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP);
- Lawful Permanent Residents;
- Non-U.S. citizens paroled into the United States under INA212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired;
- Non-U.S. citizens admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94, even if the period of admission has expired;
- Non-U.S. citizens whom Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has placed into removal proceedings;
- Canadians who enter the United States and are issued an I-94 record;
- Non-U.S. citizens issued an employment authorization document;
- Non-U.S. citizens who have applied for lawful permanent residence and were fingerprinted (unless waived), even if the applications were denied; and
- Non-U.S. citizens issued Border Crossing Cards.
The Registration Process
The registration form must be submitted online through an individual USCIS account (MyUSCIS https://my.uscis.gov/) Each noncitizen must have a unique account.
- Submit Form G-325R: The current version of the form requests extensive biographic details, address history for five years, history of activities and planned actions in the United States, estimated departure date, criminal history and details for all immediate family members. It also allows for uploading all relevant documentation related to the applicant's criminal history and other supporting documents.
- Attend fingerprint appointment: Once the G-325R has been submitted, this will trigger scheduling a Biometrics Services Appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center. Fingerprinting will be waived for Canadians and for those registrants under the age of 14.
- Download proof of registration and carry at all times: Once registration and fingerprinting (if required) are completed, the individual will be able to download and print proof of registration, which they must carry with them at all times if 18 or older.
Evidence of Registration
Acceptable Proof of Registration may include any of the following:
- Proof of Registration issued by USCIS following submission of G-325R online and completion of biometrics (if required);
- Alternate Proof of Registration: If the applicant has one of the following documents, this is sufficient proof that the individual is ALREADY registered:
- Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record;
- Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card;
- Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD);
- Form I-862, Notice to Appear, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted;
- Valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport; and
- Form I-186, Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card.
It's important to note that while these groups are exempt from this specific registration, they must continue to comply with other immigration requirements pertinent to their status.
Enforcement and Penalties
The DHS has prioritized enforcement of this registration mandate. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are instructed to verify compliance and refer non-compliant individuals to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution. Penalties for failing to register include fines up to $1,000 per day and imprisonment for up to six months
