The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced a mandatory registration requirement for foreign nationals effective April 11, 2025.
This new requirement mandates that all foreign nationals over the age of 14 must register if they were not registered and fingerprinted during their visa application process at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer.
It is important for foreign nationals to understand the criteria that determine who needs to register and the consequences of non-compliance.
For instance, foreign nationals who obtained a U.S. visa before reaching the age of 14 must register within 30 days of turning 14 if they are currently in the U.S.
Additionally, any foreign national child under the age of 14 who has not registered or obtained a visa to come to the United States must also go through the registration process.
Foreign nationals impacted by this requirement should take action promptly to avoid potential legal consequences.
The registration process is straightforward and should be completed online through the USCIS website by filling out form G-325R at https://my.uscis.gov/.
Parents or guardians who are registering for their minor children must create a separate account for each child and complete the form on their behalf.
Once the submitted form is reviewed by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency will notify the foreign national if they have already complied with registration.
If the foreign national has not registered before, a biometrics notice will be issued, requiring them to provide fingerprints.
USCIS will send proof of registration via mail and also allow access to the document through the foreign national’s myUSCIS online account.
It is mandated that proof of timely registration is carried at all times by individuals aged 18 and older.
Acceptable forms of proof include:
– USCIS mail confirmation of G-325R registration
– Print-out of Form I-94 (with exceptions for children who turned 14 in the U.S.) available at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home
– Permanent Resident Card
– Employment Authorization Document
– Receipt notices for forms including I-485, I-765, I-691, I-698, and I-700, if fingerprints were required
– Border Crossing Cards
Failure to comply with this registration requirement could result in serious legal repercussions.
The willful failure or refusal to register or to be fingerprinted can be classified as a criminal misdemeanor.
Parents or legal guardians who neglect to register their minor children will also face similar charges.
Acts of fraud or knowingly providing false information during the registration process are also deemed misdemeanors.
Convictions for these offenses can lead to fines of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
The USCIS further emphasizes the significance of carrying proof of registration at all times.
If found guilty of failing to comply with this requirement, individuals face additional penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment for up to 30 days.
Additionally, all foreign nationals in the United States must complete Form AR-11 Change of Home Address within ten days of changing residences.
The change of address process can be easily managed online through the foreign national’s myUSCIS account, with detailed instructions provided at https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11.
It is advisable for all foreign nationals to retain copies of their submissions, regardless of whether they were submitted online or by mail.
Failure to notify USCIS of a change of address is classified as a misdemeanor, consequently leading to fines of up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment for up to 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been provided for clarity regarding this new registration requirement.
1. Who is required to register?
Any foreign national over the age of 14 who was not registered and fingerprinted at the time of obtaining their visa must register.
If a foreign national is uncertain about their registration status, it is advisable to register as a precaution.
Foreign nationals who were under the age of 14 when they obtained a visa must register within 30 days of their 14th birthday.
Parents must register any foreign national child under the age of 14 who will be in the United States for more than 30 days without registration.
This requirement also applies to Canadian visitors staying in the U.S. for longer than 30 days.
2. Who does not need to register?
Foreign nationals who were fingerprinted during their visa application, entered the U.S. with an I-94 record, and have not subsequently expired, do not need to register.
Lawful Permanent Residents, parolees, foreign nationals with Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), as well as those with pending I-485 applications also do not need to register.
3. What documentation serves as proof of registration?
Acceptable proof includes samples of the EAD, Green Card, I-94 record, and I-485 Receipt Notice.
4. What if I complete Form G-325R without prior knowledge of my registration status?
USCIS will inform you if you’ve already registered and will not schedule another biometrics appointment.
5. Do my 14-year-old child and younger children need to carry proof of registration?
No, only adults aged 18 and older are required to carry proof of registration.
6. Is there a necessity to carry proof of registration during domestic travel in the U.S.?
Proof of registration must be carried at all times by adults 18 years and older, not just during travel.
7. Is there a fee for filing Form G-325?
There is no fee associated with the submission of this form.
For more extensive information about the registration requirement and procedures, one can visit the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration.
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