A federal judge authorized the government of Donald Trump to require that all individuals in the United States without legal immigration status register with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The requirement will take effect this Friday and will mark a new chapter in the immigration policy of the Republican president. The ruling was issued on April 10 by Judge Trevor Neil McFadden, who was nominated to the position by Donald Trump himself.
McFadden dismissed the arguments of the suing groups, which warned about the use of the registry as a tool to facilitate mass deportations.
The magistrate believes that the measure by the Trump Administration is based on existing legal provisions found in the Immigration and Nationality Act. In his view, it is merely activating a legal mechanism that had previously only been used in exceptional circumstances.
After the ruling, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an urgent statement. Immigrants who have been in the country for more than 30 days must complete their registration by this Friday at the latest. Those who fail to comply face fines, jail sentences, or both penalties.
The registration will be mandatory for all foreigners over the age of 14 without legal status. They must provide their fingerprints and residential address through a process enabled on the official USCIS portal. Parents or legal guardians must register minors.
“President Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noem have a clear message for those who are in our country illegally: leave now,” reiterated the DHS. The government's intention is to use this database as a tool to coordinate the deportations of undocumented individuals.
The registry was announced in February and does not represent a immigration status nor provide legal or work benefits, but failure to comply will be considered a crime. Sanctions will also apply to those who do not report changes of address or disobey orders to leave the country.
The regulation is based on a little-used law from 1940, briefly reactivated after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when the registration of citizens from 25 countries, mostly Muslim-majority, was required. That policy resulted in over 13,000 deportations but was dissolved in 2016 following strong criticism.
In this new context, activists and immigration lawyers have warned about the ethical and legal implications of the measure. They compare the initiative to historical practices of controlling vulnerable populations and fear that it will serve to stigmatize the entire migrant community, including those without criminal records.
Despite the criticism, the White House stands firm in its position, noting that the registry is not only legal but also a historic obligation that has never been effectively implemented. For the Trump Administration, this step is essential in its promise to strengthen immigration control and prioritize national security.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mandatory Registration of Immigrants in the U.S. under the Trump Administration
What does the new mandatory registration for immigrants in the U.S. entail?
The new mandatory registration requires all individuals in the United States without legal immigration status to register with the government, providing fingerprints and residential address. This measure is part of the Trump Administration's immigration policy to intensify control over the immigrant population and facilitate deportations.
What are the consequences of not registering?
The failure to register is considered a crime that can result in fines, prison sentences, or both penalties. Additionally, those who do not report changes of address or do not comply with expulsion orders from the country will also face severe legal sanctions.
Does the registration grant any immigration status or legal benefits?
No, registration does not confer immigration status nor does it grant legal or labor benefits. Its main purpose is to control and regulate the presence of foreigners in the country, without providing them with additional rights.
How does this measure affect the immigrant community in the U.S.?
The measure has been criticized by activists and immigration lawyers for its potential to stigmatize and criminalize the immigrant community, including those without criminal records. There are concerns that the database created from the registry could be used to facilitate mass deportations.
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