The Trump administration has announced mandatory registration for all undocumented immigrants aged 14+ living in the U.S., marking a major escalation in immigration enforcement. Those who fail to comply risk fines, imprisonment, or deportation under this revived policy rooted in 1952 immigration laws.
Key requirements include:
- Registration through a new online DHS portal (details pending)
- Submission of fingerprints and current addresses
- Parental responsibility for minors under 14
We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland,said DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, emphasizing full enforcement of existing laws.
While the Alien Registration Act of 1940 first established these rules, enforcement has been sporadic for decades. Immigration experts like Cornell’s Stephen Yale-Loehr warn this move primarily serves to heighten fearrather than create functional pathways: People avoiding detection won’t voluntarily expose themselves through registration.
The policy announcement coincides with broader Trump administration efforts to deport millions, fulfilling campaign promises to hardline supporters. However, legal analysts question its practical impact given most undocumented immigrants already avoid government interaction.
Undocumented communities now face impossible choices: risk deportation through non-compliance or self-identify through registration. Advocacy groups are preparing legal challenges, arguing the policy disproportionately targets vulnerable populations.