DHS Finalizes Mandatory Alien Registration Rule

This regulation formalizes an executive order signed by President Trump in January 2025, which prioritized the enforcement of section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. While visa holders—including H-1B recipients—are generally exempt from fresh registration because their I-94 arrival records satisfy the requirement, the rule imposes immediate new obligations on younger residents.

Individuals must now apply for re-registration and undergo fingerprinting within 30 days of their 14th birthday. Furthermore, those aged 18 and older are legally required to carry evidence of their registration at all times. DHS officials estimate that between 2.2 million and 3.2 million people, primarily those who entered the country without formal inspection or prior system capture, will fall under the scope of this mandate. Failure to comply with these directives is classified as a significant enforcement priority, carrying potential risks of fines and imprisonment.