The US government has made it mandatory for all foreign nationals residing the country for more than 30 days to register with federal authorities. The change was first introduced by President Donald Trump via executive order and greenlit by a federal judge on Thursday. The White House has indicated that aliens who failed to register themselves could face incarceration and even deportation.
“All foreign nationals present in the United States longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. Failure to comply with this is a crime punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both… If not, you will be arrested, fined, deported, never to return to our country again,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The decision will also impact non-citizens who are currently in the US on visas such as H-1B or even sudent permits. According to reports, the children of immigrants will also have to re-register and submit their fingerprints within 30 days after turning 14 years old. A statement by the Department of Homeland Security also noted that all non-citizens above the age of 18 will have to carry their documentation at all times — with “no sanctuary for noncompliance” as the Trump administration makes this new policy a priority.
Federal laws have long required people who are not US citizens but living in the country (including those here illegally) to register with the government. However the rule has only been enforced on rare occasions with no clear example of universal usage since it was first introduced in the 1940s. The Trump government however argues that it is simply enforcing an already existing requirement — with judge Trevor Neil McFadden agreeing in his ruling earlier this week.
According to details outlined on the US Citizenship and Immigration Service, aliens must apply for registration and fingerprinting if this was not done during the visa application process. They will subsequently be issued identifying documents — which aliens over the age of 18 must carry at all times. The website also notes that registration is now mandatory for people aged 14 or older who do not have legal status. It will also apply to Canadians who are in the US for more than 30 days.