The Law States That Every Foreigner Must Register with DHS

 

The US government now requires that every non-US citizen “register” with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), must carry proof of registration, and must update DHS with a change in address within 10 days. DHS began enforcing this rule on April 11, 2025. Even children under 14 years old must register. This letter explains who is registered, who must register, and the risks.

 

Many immigrants are already registered, but many others are not.

For those who are not registered, DHS created a form G-325R to register and get fingerprinted. You can fill it out online at https://my.uscis.gov/ or download the paper copy.

 

Registering may be risky

Registering with the US Government may be risky for some undocumented immigrants because the government states that they plan to use registration information to find and arrest people, deport people, and pressure them to leave the US, “self-deport.” Legally, immigrants must register despite the risk.

 

Even if you are already registered

• You must update DHS with your address within 10 days of moving. If not, it can lead to your immigration case being denied and even criminal charges and removal from the US

• You must carry proof of registration with you. 

• USCIS has a tool to check if you are registered: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration

 

This summary is not legal advice.

It provides general details about who is and is not registered, the possible consequences of registering, what steps to take, and what documents to carry. Please take this seriously. If you have questions or need help, you may schedule a consult with MIRA or hire MIRA to assist with this process.

 

Who is registered? Non-citizens who have been in the US for 30 days and are:

• Green Card holders

• People who ever filed an application for a green card (form I-485) even if it was denied.

• People who entered the US on a visa (even if it has expired), with a border crossing card, or as a “crewman”

• People who were ever put into immigration court (apparently, even if you are no longer in court)

• People who ever received a work permit (even if it is expired)

• People who entered the US with “parole”

• Refugees

• People who file the new USCIS registration form G-325R

 

Importantly, that means that submitting a U visa application, an asylum application, or an I-601A waiver do not count as registration. Being the beneficiary of an I-130 Petition by a family member also does not count.

 

Special rule for immigrants who turn 14 years old

When a child turns 14 years old, they must register with DHS again, even if they were registered previously.

 

Who doesn’t this apply to?

US citizens, visa holders registered through the visa, anyone who has applied for adjustment of status, a few other categories.

 

Risks and Consequences of Registration

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There are potentially serious risks to registering and potentially serious risks to not registering. The goal of Registration is to force immigrants to leave the US through removal, deportation, or leaving on their own.

 

If you do not have legal status in the US, the risks of registering include:

• Immigration: The US government may use your registration information to find you, arrest you, and try to force you out of the US. That is their plan. You might end up in immigration court. If you have been in the US less than 2 years, ICE might try to use “expedited removal” to remove you without court.

• Criminal: The US government put a criminal charge of illegal entry against you if you entered illegally within the last 5 years. For people who returned after a deportation, the US government can put a criminal charge of illegal reentry against you.

 

Some risks of not registering include:

• Immigration: For any immigration case where DHS or an immigration judge has discretion whether to approve the application, the US government can consider failure to register as evidence against you.

• Criminal: If you are not registered and fail to register, the US government can bring federal criminal charges and has told prosecutors to begin doing so. The charges include misdemeanors for:

  • Failure to register, which can result in a fine up to $5,000 or up to six months in jail;

  • Failure to carry proof of registration, which can result in a fine up to $5,000 or up to 30 days in jail.

  • There is a separate criminal charge for registering using false statements.

 

If you are registered, you must carry proof of registration.

Failure to carry proof of registration, which can result in a fine up to $5,000 or up to 30 days in jail.

 

Proof of registration to carry includes paper versions of:

• USCIS Receipt Notices for:

  • I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status (even if it was denied)

  • G-325R (the new registration form)

  • see 8 CFR §264.1 for others

• I-94

• Your work permit – form I-766 (even if expired)

• The charging document that put you in immigration court:

• The “Notice to Appear” (Form I-862) or “Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge” (Form I-863)

• For older cases you might instead have an “Order to Show Cause” of some kind, (Forms I-221 or I-221S)

• USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration

• Parole stamp without I-94 only if the parole has not expired

• Border Crossing Card

• For more, see 8 CFR §264.1 and https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration

 

You MUST change your address with DHS within 10 days of moving

You can do this online at https://my.uscis.gov/ or by paper form AR-11.

 

If you fail to update your address, there may be serious consequences

• It can result in removal, unless the failure to timely notify is reasonably excusable or was not willful

• DHS may consider this evidence against you for any immigration application

• The government could bring criminal charges for failure to update your address, which can be punished with a fine of up to $200 or up to 30 days in jail.

 

Even if you are registered, there may be risks to updating your address.

• If you do not currently have legal status, DHS can use your updated address information to find you, detain you, and try to get you out of the US. The risk of updating your address may apply to people who are currently out of status and:

• Were previously in immigration court but had their cases dismissed

• Have a pending U visa, T visa, or VAWA case (but failing to update has its own consequences)

 

If you have questions or need help, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney. You may schedule a consult with MIRA or hire MIRA to assist with this process.

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​Read more here:

• From American Immigration Lawyers Association: Download

• From National Immigration Law Center: Website or Download

 

This is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should not act or rely on this information as legal advice for your case specifically. Contact MIRA Legal at 615-307-6472 or by email at info@mira.legal for help. 

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*This webpage is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an Attorney-Client