President Trump’s government re-activated a program that requires certain foreign persons in the United States to register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This memo outlines key requirements under the registration rule.
1. Normal Registration Requirements
The U.S. government considers registration to be satisfied by normal visa procedures. For example, registration occurs whenever a person is granted lawful permanent resident status or arrives to the U.S. with a visa at an airport or land point of entry and is admitted with a Form I-94 admission.
2. Registration 2025
Under the 2025 initiative, DHS established a new form and online process by which unregistered foreign nationals may comply with the registration requirement.
3. When Does Registration Take Effect?
Starting on April 11, 2025, registration applies to all unregistered persons who remain physically present in the U.S. for 30 days or more. The law requires people to register before the 30-day period ends.
4. Who Must Register?
- All noncitizens subject to registration who are over age 14 and who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or more.
- All noncitizens who are under age 14 should be registered by their parents.
This rule therefore applies to:
- Undocumented immigrants
- Noncitizens visiting the U.S. on visa-free entry, who did not receive an I-94 upon admission (usually no I-94 is issued in this circumstance), and intend to remain physically present in the U.S. 30 days or more in one continuous visit.
Canadians: Canadian citizens admitted to the United States for purposes of employment or study in other nonimmigrant categories (including F, H-1B and TN) are normally issued a Form I-94 at the port of entry. Thus, Canadian citizens who were issued a Form I-94 do not need to use the new registration process.
5. Who Does Not Have to Register?
- Lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders).
- Noncitizens who have applied for a Green Card and provided their fingerprints.
- Noncitizens who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival.
- Noncitizens issued an employment authorization document (EAD).
- Noncitizens issued an I-94 or Form I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired.
- Noncitizens issued Border Crossing Cards.
- Noncitizens in removal proceedings.
- Certain noncitizens paroled into the United States.
6. How to Register?
The government created the new online Form G-325R which can only be accessed and submitted online HERE:
7. Proof of Immigration Status or Registration
All noncitizens must carry proof of immigration status in the U.S. at all times.