DHS Requires Registration and Fingerprinting with Some Exemptions (Updated)

**Post updated on 3/25/2025

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Interim Final Rule yesterday requiring certain non-U.S. citizens who are in the U.S. for 30 days or more to be registered with DHS and carry proof of such registration starting on April 11, 2025, or potentially face criminal fines and/or imprisonment. Note that registration includes fingerprinting for individuals 14 and older.

Many people are already considered registered, including individuals admitted to the U.S. as nonimmigrants and issued an I-94, individuals present in the U.S. who were issued nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival, individuals issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and lawful permanent residents.

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for registering children under 14 who have not been registered (see above) and remain in the U.S. for 30 days or more. Registration must be completed before the expiration of those 30 days. Children under 14 are not required to complete fingerprinting until they reach the age of 14. Upon turning 14, children have 30 days to provide fingerprinting via the process below.

The government instructs everyone who has not already been deemed registered to create a USCIS online account, which can then be used to submit the new registration form
G-325R, “Biographic Information (Registration),” and will trigger the scheduling of a biometrics appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center.

Canadians as well as business visitors who are planning to remain in the U.S. for more than 30 days should make sure they are issued an I-94 upon entering the U.S.

Additionally, those who are 18 or older must carry proof at all times of their registration, such as:

• For nonimmigrants, carry copies of foreign passport ID page and most recently issued I-94
• For green card holders, carry original LPR card.

What are the potential penalties?

• Notify DHS in writing of each change of address within 10 days of moving. Penalty is a misdemeanor with fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both;
• Register and provide fingerprints. Failure to comply is a criminal offense and penalty could be a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment up to 180 days, or both; fraudulent registration constitutes grounds of deportability; AND
• Carry evidence of compliance if one is age 18 or older. Failure to comply is a criminal misdemeanor and penalty could be a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.

Per DHS, the initiative aims to enhance national security and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws. It marks a step to implement the January 20, 2025 executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” signed by President Trump, which directed DHS to enforce compliance with existing “alien” registration requirements under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1302).

A detailed FAQ prepared by the nonprofit National Immigration Law Center can be found here.