Immigration News

April 15, 2025

“Alien” Registration Required Starting April 11, 2025

A new rule about Alien Registration was recently published to help enforce an existing law. This rule is based on Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion and requires noncitizens to register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Not registering could lead to fines or criminal punishment.

Who Needs to Register?

The rule applies to:

• All foreign nationals (noncitizens) aged 14 or older who were not registered and fingerprinted when they got a U.S. visa, and who plan to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or more.
• Parents or guardians of noncitizen children under 14 must ensure their children are registered.
• Noncitizens who turn 14 must re-register and be fingerprinted within 30 days of their birthday.
• Canadians who did not receive an I-94 form when entering the U.S. and who plan to stay for more than 30 days.

Most noncitizens who went through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the airport already have an I-94 form, which counts as a valid registration document.

Carrying Your Registration Documents

If you are 18 or older, you must carry proof of registration with you at all times.

• If you have an I-94, you can print a copy.
• If you have a Green Card (I-551) or a Work Permit (I-766, EAD), you need to carry it with you.

What Counts as a Registration Document?

If you filed certain applications and have a receipt from USCIS, the receipt will count as a registration:

• I-485 (Application for Green Card)
• Other USCIS forms related to refugee, asylum, and residency applications.

A receipt for an I-129 (work visa petition) alone does NOT count as registration unless the approval comes with an I-94 document attached.

How to Register

If you don’t have a valid registration document, you must register online by:

1. Creating an account at myUSCIS.gov.
2. Filing Form G-325R (Biographic Information – Registration).
3. Attending a biometrics appointment at a USCIS field office.
4. Downloading and printing your registration proof from your online account.

Change of Address

If you move, you must update your address within 10 days by filing Form AR-11 or updating your myUSCIS account. Not updating your address could make you deportable unless you can prove it was reasonably excusable, or was not willful.

Need Help?

If you have questions, please contact our office for assistance.