President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently created a mandatory procedure that non-U.S. citizens must use to register with the federal government and submit fingerprints. Despite several court challenges, the procedure went into effect on April 11, 2025. 

Note that this requirement has been a part of U.S. immigration law since 1940. However, DHS never created an adequate system that allows people to register. Thus, the law was rarely, if ever enforced, until now.  Here is what you need to know about the registration procedure:

Many of our clients are already registered. 

• If you applied for and received a visa at a United States Consulate and/or applied for entry with United States Customs and received an I-94 document after your 14th birthday, you are considered registered.
• If you were approved for Lawful Permanent Resident status (i.e. received a green card) after your 14th birthday, you are considered registered.

Many of our clients may have children who are NOT considered registered.

• If your child applied for and received a visa and/or an I-94 before his 14th birthday, then turned 14 while physically present in the United States, your child will be required to register.
• If your child applied for and received Lawful Permanent Resident Status (green card) before his 14th birthday, then turned 14 while physically present in the United States, your child will be required to register.

There may be consequences for failing to register or failing to carry proof of registration.

• The law states that “willfully” failing to register may result in a misdemeanor conviction punishable by monetary fines or imprisonment. Note that “willful” often is legally defined as “evil motive” or “bad purpose,” and the government must prove that a failure to register was willful in order to convict a non-citizen under this law. Plus, DHS acknowledges that there has been no reliable mechanism non-citizens can use to register prior to the implementation of this procedure.
• Now that the procedure is in place, failing to use it when required could result in the denial of future immigration benefits. For example, a child who receives a visa and I-94 prior to his 14th birthday, fails to register after his 14th birthday, and then applies for a green card may be denied the green card due to the failure.
• The law also requires anyone over the age of 18 years to carry proof of registration at all times. There are numerous types of documents that prove registration. Some of the most common are: an I-94 document, a green card, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), confirmation from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that the registration process has been complete.
• Also note that DHS is now emphasizing the requirement that non-citizens (including permanent residents) update their U.S. residence address with USCIS within ten (10) days after changing addresses. DHS has stated that there could be penalties for failing to update USCIS with a new address.

The Registration procedures is available online only.

• You must use your existing USCIS online account or create an online account if you do not already have one, to complete and submit a registration application on Form G-325R.
• Here is information about creating an online account.
• Here is a place to view a sample copy of Form G-325R.
• Here is information about changing your residence address.
• Once USCIS receives a G-325R application, the agency will send a notice to appear for fingerprinting at the nearest USCIS application support center at a set date and time. Appointments can be rescheduled through the online account.
• Note that attorneys are not able to set up online accounts for you, and they cannot have direct access to existing online accounts. Nor can G-325R be completed and submitted by mail or any other method than through the USCIS online account.