Trump Administration Creates New Immigrant Registry in the U.S.

My people, this is attorney María Mendoza writing to you. My commitment is to help you understand the laws and changes that may affect you in my favorite area, immigration in the United States. Recently, the news about a new registration for certain undocumented immigrants has become a trend. Donald Trump announced through the USCIS website that a new registration will be implemented. This registration comes from an old law and will apply to all undocumented immigrants over the age of 14.

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued the executive order titled Protection of the American People Against Invasion. As part of this measure, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was instructed to ensure that foreigners comply with the obligation to register with the U.S. government, in accordance with Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Additionally, it has been emphasized that non-compliance with this requirement will be treated as a priority for civil and criminal enforcement.

This news is causing a lot of panic and fear within our community due to the threat of facing charges for a possible crime or fines. First of all, it’s important to know that being an undocumented immigrant in the United States is not a crime; we can categorize it as a civil offense, but not a criminal one.

You may also be interested in: Opportunities and obstacles when fixing papers through an American citizen child.

Who needs to register?

According to the INA, this requirement applies to all foreigners aged 14 or older who have not been registered or had their fingerprints taken when applying for a U.S. visa and plan to remain in the country for more than 30 days. Similarly, parents and legal guardians are responsible for ensuring that children under 14 comply with this requirement.

All individuals who meet the above criteria are legally obligated to register, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. The law states that the registration must be completed within the first 30 days of staying in the country, and minors who turn 14 while residing in the U.S. must register within the same timeframe.

However, we are still waiting for more official news because, at this moment, you cannot even apply for this registration. Additionally, not everyone will have to apply, even if they are an undocumented immigrant.

The USCIS website has issued a list of people who are not required to register:

• Legal permanent residents.

• Foreigners who were granted parole into the U.S. under Section 212(d)(5) of the INA, even if the parole period has expired.

• Foreigners admitted to the U.S. as non-immigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (in paper or electronic form), even if the admission period has expired.

• All foreigners present in the U.S. who were issued immigrant or non-immigrant visas before their arrival.

• Foreigners who have been placed in deportation proceedings by DHS.

• Foreigners who were issued an employment authorization document.

• Foreigners who have applied for lawful permanent residency using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, or I-700, even if the applications were denied.

• Foreigners issued border crossing cards.

For a free case evaluation, call +1 (202) 933-3379

Registration Process and Fraud Prevention

At this moment, there is no way to enter the registry. As immigration attorneys, we are waiting for official news to confirm if this process will be implemented, as at this point, it is just a “rumor”—a piece of news, but not official, because even on official USCIS sites, you cannot apply yet.

What can be done?

Consult with an immigration attorney to find out if you are eligible to fix your papers and start the process for your case to have protection, because what the Trump administration is really doing is trying to collect as much information as possible about undocumented immigrants.

At The Mendoza Law Firm, we have more than 15 years of experience. Don’t hesitate to contact us! We are ready to guide you every step of the way and protect your rights.

¡La lucha sigue!