DHS Now Enforcing Alien Registration Requirements for non-U.S. Citizens

The government has announced that it will begin enforcing existing registration requirements effective immediately.

Key takeaways

Until and unless you become a U.S. citizen:

1. Make sure to have with you an immigration document from the list below at all times.
2. IMPORTANT: Make sure you submit an AR-11 with USCIS within 10 days of changing your address, each and every time you move (https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11).
3. If you do not hold one of the documents on the list below, then you may have a duty to submit Form G-325R, a new form.
4. These requirements apply to each non-citizen in the United States on an individual basis, including each family member and including children.

USCIS instructions on registration requirements, the additional new form for those not already registered, and how to submit the new form have been published on the USCIS Alien Registration website (https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration).

Special considerations for children born outside the U.S.

1. Parents of non-US citizen children under 14 years without a registration document must register their child if they will be in the U.S. for more than 30 days..
2. Non-US citizen children who will become 14 years while in the United States must re-register with the government within 30 days of their 14^th birthday.
3. Non-US citizen children who are permanent residents (green card holders), must file an I-90 once the child turns 14, unless the permanent resident card expires when they turn 16 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-90).
4. Non-US citizen children 18 or older must carry evidence of registration at all times.

Registration Requirements

The registration requirements generally mandate that all non-US citizens in the U.S. for over 30 days register with the government and carry proof of registration at all times. They also require registration of a change in address within 10 days of a move.

• Failure to register and be fingerprinted is a misdemeanor and may result in imprisonment for up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00.
• Failure to carry evidence of registration is a misdemeanor and may result in imprisonment for up to 30 days and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00.
• Failure to submit an AR-11 to DHS within 10 days of move is a misdemeanor and may result in imprisonment for up to 30 days and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00.
• Additionally, those who fail to comply with the above requirements may be placed into deportation/removal proceedings and/or may become ineligible for U.S. immigration benefits.

List of Immigration Documents that Evidence Registration

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must always carry one of these documents with you. This is not an exhaustive list of all qualifying documents, and it need not be the original document:

• I-551 Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”)
• Form I-94 (Current or Expired) – Can be printed from the USCBP I-94 website (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search)
• I-766 Employment Authorization Card (EAD)
• Border Crossing Card (Form I-185 Canadian; Form I-186 Mexican)
• Valid Unexpired Non-immigrant DHS Admission or Parole Stamp in a Foreign Passport – A valid unexpired admission stamp (or I-551 stamp) in a foreign passport (the stamp can be in an expired passport)
• Form I-862 or I-863 Notice to Appear (NTA)/Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge
• NEW — Proof of Alien Registration document, to be issued by USCIS following submission of new Form G-325R and completion of related biometrics