Deadline Approaching: Non US-Citizens Must Register with USCIS or Face Legal Trouble
In a sweeping move that could impact thousands of non-U.S. citizens, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will enforce the alien registration requirement under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Effective March, 2025 onwards, non-citizens who meet certain criteria must register with USCIS within 30 days of arrival or risk severe penalties.
Who Must Register?
The new mandate applies to the following individuals:
- Non-U.S. citizens aged 14 or older who were not registered and fingerprinted when applying for a visa and have remained in the U.S. for 30 days or more.
- Parents or legal guardians of children under 14 who have remained in the U.S. for more than 30 days and were not previously registered.
- Non-U.S. citizens who turn 14 while residing in the U.S. must register within 30 days of their birthday.
Failure to comply with these requirements could result in criminal and civil penalties, including fines and potential misdemeanor charges.
Why This Matters?
This new regulation significantly affects individuals who entered the U.S. without inspection and admission, including Canadian visitors who were not issued an I-94 record and those granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) without proof of registration. Non-citizens over 18 must always carry their registration documentation once issued, per Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines.
Who Is Already Registered?
Certain individuals are already considered registered and do not need to take additional action, including:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Individuals paroled into the U.S. under INA 212(d)(5)
- Nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic)
- Individuals issued an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa prior to arrival
- Those placed into removal proceedings by DHS
- Individuals with employment authorization documents (EADs)
- Applicants for lawful permanent residence using specific forms (I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700)
- Individuals with Border Crossing Cards.
How to Register?
USCIS has not yet released the official registration form or process, but it is expected to do so soon. In preparation, non-citizens must create a USCIS online account where they will be able to complete and submit their registration forms once the system is implemented. Parents or guardians will be responsible for submitting applications on behalf of children under 14.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Failure to comply with the registration requirement could lead to:
- Criminal charges, including misdemeanor prosecution
- Civil penalties and fines
- Possible immigration consequences for those without valid status
Additionally, while registration will serve as proof of compliance with U.S. immigration law, it does not grant employment authorization or any other legal benefits under the INA.
What’s Next?
With the enforcement of this long-standing provision, USCIS is expected to release further details in the coming weeks, including specific guidelines on submitting registration forms. Non-citizens currently in the U.S. should immediately prepare by creating a USCIS account and closely monitoring updates from DHS and USCIS to avoid penalties.
This announcement marks a significant development in U.S. immigration policy, potentially affecting thousands of non-citizens. Stay tuned as more details emerge regarding the enforcement and processing of alien registration in 2025.
Announcements
- https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-submit-your-iv-and-alien-registration-application.html.
Visit daadscholarship.com for More Fully-funded Scholarships 2026 News.
