Do I Need to Complete Alien Registration?

As of April 11, 2025, the Trump Administration began enforcing the Alien Registration Act, requiring certain foreign nationals in the U.S. to register and be fingerprinted.

Who Needs to Register?

Any noncitizen who enters the U.S. and plans to stay for at least 30 days after April 11, 2025 must register before the expiration of the 30 days. However, many noncitizens are already registered. Below is a list of the most common noncitizens who are not yet registered:

• Canadians who entered the U.S. at land ports of entry and were not issued a Form I-94. Because most Canadians are visa-exempt to enter the U.S., they do not undergo the usual fingerprinting and registration required for noncitizens entering with a visa.
• Noncitizens who entered the U.S. without inspection and have not otherwise been encountered by DHS or do not have a registration document. This includes applicants for deferred action (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who were not issued evidence of registration. NOTE: most DACA recipients have received an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which is a registration document. Thus, DACA holders with a valid EAD do not need to register.
• Noncitizen children who turn 14 years old while in the U.S. This includes lawful permanent resident (LPR) children. If an LPR is outside the U.S. when they turn 14, they must apply for registration within 30 days of return. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s compliance.

What If I Don’t Register?

Failure to register may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. At the same time, registering as an undocumented individual may result in detention and/or being placed in removal proceedings.

You should consult an immigration attorney prior to registration in order to understand the registration process, your rights, and potential legal risks.

For more details, check out AILA’s flyer: here

Conclusion

Many noncitizens do not need to register or re-register. Those who entered the U.S. on a valid visa or were issued an I-94, EAD, or Green Card do not need to register.

If you entered the U.S. without inspection or without a visa (even if lawful), you may need to complete registration. As always, when in doubt, consult with an immigration attorney before registering or moving forward with your immigration matter!