After a television interview outside the White House on March 10, 2025, Kristi Noem is told that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem passes past reporters (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – Millions of immigrants in the country, as of Friday, are needed to register with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after a federal judge rejected an advocacy group’s request to suspend the requirement.
You will also need to carry a document proof of your registration.
A Thursday decision from U.S. District Court Judge Trevor Neil McFadden for the District of Columbia allows the Trump administration to issue large fines and potential sentences if those eligible for the registration requirement fail to comply.
McFadden, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017, said advocacy groups lack legal status (which did not show how they could be hurt by requirements) and lack legal status to bring lawsuits.
“As an organization, much of their harm was too speculative and they failed to show that the rules erode their core missions,” McFadden said. I wrote it on his order.
In a statement, DHS secretary Christy Noem supported the order.
“President Trump and I have an illegal, clear message to the people of our country. We’re leaving now. If we leave now, you may have the opportunity to enjoy our freedom and live our American dreams,” Noem said.
Immigration Policy Research Institute, Immigration Think Tank, estimate 2.2 million to 3.2 million immigrants must be registered. Registration requirements could be a powerful tool in the Trump administration’s efforts to implement massive deportations.
Registration requirements
DHS announced New requirements February. under ruleimmigrants who are 14 and older must register must carry registration documents at all times or risk potential prison conditions or fines up to $5,000.
Immigrants covered by the requirements must submit fingerprints and other biometrics and personal information through online applications processed by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once the application is approved, the agent will provide a document that immigrants must always carry it.
The lawsuit filed by immigration advocacy groups alleged that the Trump administration violated appropriate rules-making procedures when preparing the application. The group also warned. Court documents Using the application “will lead to racial profiling and false targeting of US citizens.”
Registration requirements are approved under the Wartime Act, known as the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which was first used in World War II.
This requirement was rarely used until the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, non-citizen men over the age of 16, welcomed by the majority of 25 Muslim countries, had to register with the US government.
This program, the National Security Intrusion Registration System, was disbanded in 2016 without a conviction of terrorism.
Under Friday’s requirements, those who need to register include immigrants who have entered the United States without US legal authority for more than 30 days.
Those who do not need to register include legal permanent residents, immigrants with work visas or other specific visas, and those in the deletion procedure.
