A federal judge in Washington D.C., Trevor Neil McFadden, ruled in favor of Donald Trump’s administration in allowing a measure to go into effect that requires all persons residing in the United States without legal immigration status (undocumented immigrants) to register with the federal government.
The decision, announced on Thursday, April 10, 2025, supports the order issued in February by the Department of Homeland Security(DHS), which states that registration is mandatory for everyone over the age of 14 who is in the country without legal authorization.
What does this registration entail?
According to current regulations, persons without legal status (undocumented immigrants) must create an account on the official website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
In addition to providing fingerprints, current address and other personal information.
Registration also includes parents or guardians of children under the age of 14, who must complete the process on their behalf.
Registration is mandatory for all persons over 14 years of age
QueOnnda.com
The measure is based on federal laws dating back to the Alien Registration Act of 1940.
And that were consolidated in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
Although these laws already required registration, their application has been sporadic in recent decades.
Sanctions and controversy
Buzzy
Failure to register will be considered a criminal offense, which could result in fines, imprisonment or even deportation proceedings.
Registered persons must carry their registration documents with them at all times.
Immigrant rights organizations have denounced the measure as a covert mechanism to facilitate mass deportations.
They criticize the government’s failure to open a public consultation process before implementing this policy.
Likewise, Canadians staying more than 30 days in the U.S., such as the so-called “snowbirds” who travel in winter to Florida or California, must also register under this provision.
For more information, visit QueOnnda.com.
