Immigration officials have announced a major initiative requiring all individuals living without legal status in the United States to register with the federal government. This move, believed to bolster enforcement of immigration laws, warns that those failing to comply could face significant consequences, including fines, imprisonment, or both. The new measure will apply to anyone aged 14 and older who lacks legal status, as per a statement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, part of the Department of Homeland Security. Those registered must provide fingerprints and their current address, with parents or guardians responsible for minors under 14 to ensure compliance.
The registry is among the steps taken by the Trump administration to fulfill campaign pledges to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions residing unlawfully in the country. Historically, federal immigration law has mandated that people living in the U.S. illegally must register with the government. Such requirements have roots in the Alien Registration Act of 1940, designed during an era of intense anti-immigrant sentiment leading up to World War II, with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 instituting similar guidelines. However, enforcement of these regulations has been sporadic through the decades.
Recent statements from the Department of Homeland Security signal a shift toward active enforcement of this requirement. “The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws — we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce,” explained Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for Homeland Security. Emphasizing national security, she added, “We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans.”
While Tuesday’s announcement outlined the intent and necessity behind this policy, it also served an administrative purpose. Officials highlighted plans to unveil a registration form and process shortly. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, individuals should create an online account as instructions for registration will be available soon.
The registry’s announcement underlines the administration’s resolve on immigration matters. It subtly warns those living in the U.S. unlawfully of the legal avenues available. “If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream,” said McLaughlin in the official statement.
The practical effects of implementing this registry remain uncertain. Legal experts suggest that the outcome could be limited, as many undocumented individuals may choose to avoid registration, as doing so could simplify their identification and potential deportation. Longtime immigration law scholar and former Cornell Law professor Stephen Yale-Loehr remarked that even if the policy yields limited deportations, its symbolic power cannot be understated. “It sends a signal to the American people that we’re cracking down on immigrants,” he noted, a move likely to exacerbate existing fears among immigrant communities.
