It is now possible to demand that all foreign nationals in the United States, including students and legal professionals, present their immigration documents upon request.
Noncitizens 18 and Older To Carry Documentation At All Times
In a statement released on Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, “All noncitizens 18 and older must carry this documentation at all times. This administration has directed DHS to prioritize enforcement, there will be no sanctuary for noncompliance.”
This comes after a U.S. district judge upheld a Trump-era rule requiring undocumented immigrants to register with the federal government and have proper documentation.
People who have lawfully entered the country on a visa, have green cards, an employment authorization document, a border crossing card, or an I-94 admission record are already registered and will not be impacted by this registration requirement, as per latest reports.
Indian H-1B workers and international students, who are primarily from India, are examples of “already registered” immigrants who must now always carry documentation of their legal status.
After they turn 14, these immigrants’ children have 30 days to re-register and provide their fingerprints.
Donald Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, according to Reuters, decided that organizations contesting this DHS regulation lacked the legal authority to stop the rule.
McFadden wrote stated, “As organizations, many of their harms are too speculative, and they have failed to show that the Rule will erode their core missions.”
Nicholas Espiritu, deputy legal director at the National Immigration Law Center (representing the plaintiffs), described the ruling as “Disappointing,” adding that it would “force people into an impossible choice between registering and risking immediate deportation, or refusing and facing penalties.”
Key Rules Under the New Policy
- All non-citizens aged 18 and above must carry valid ID at all times and present it when asked by authorities.
- Undocumented immigrants aged 14+ who have been in the U.S. for 30+ days must formally register by submitting Form G-325R.
- Immigrant children must re-register and provide fingerprints within 30 days of turning 14.
- New arrivals after April 11 must register within 30 days of entering the country.
- Address changes must be reported to DHS within 10 days.
- Non-compliance can lead to fines up to $5,000.
Who’s Exempt From Re-Registration?
Those already in the U.S. on valid documentation are not required to register again, including:
- Green card holders
- Visa holders (student, work, etc.)
- Individuals with valid I-94 admission records
