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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security put into effect on March 12, 2025, a rule that reactivates — with renewed enforcement authority — the alien registration requirement established under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The measure requires that virtually every foreign national present in the United States for 30 days or more be formally registered and, in many cases, have their fingerprints collected by USCIS. More than a year after implementation, the rule remains in effect in 2026 and is being enforced strictly, including referrals for criminal investigation against those who fail to meet the deadline.
The rule’s target is not limited to those who entered irregularly. The obligation applies to tourists, students, temporary workers, dependents, persons in adjustment of status proceedings, and even children under 14 in the care of their parents. Understanding who must register, how the process works, and what happens in cases of non-compliance has moved beyond a technical footnote — it has become a central issue for anyone planning to remain in the United States for more than one month.
Who Must Comply
The DHS rule, formalized in the Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register in March 2025, defines specific groups subject to registration. The common denominator is extended presence without the foreign national having been previously registered in another immigration context.
Persons 14 Years of Age or Older
Every foreign national aged 14 or older who was not registered during the consular visa process or upon entry into the United States must complete the procedure if their intended stay exceeds 30 days. Registration must be completed before reaching 30 days on U.S. soil — not after.
Parents and Guardians of Minors
Children under 14 do not register on their own, but their legal guardians are required to register them. Each minor requires a separate profile on the USCIS portal — the system does not accept group registrations. The deadline is the same: complete registration by the thirtieth day of stay.
Teenagers Who Turn 14 While in the US
Anyone who turns 14 during their stay in the United States has 30 days after their birthday to update their registration, even if they had previously been registered as a minor. The obligation here functions as a mandatory renewal.
Who Is Exempt
Certain groups are automatically considered registered and do not need to take any additional action. Those exempt include, among others, holders of a valid I-94 or I-94W issued upon entry, lawful permanent residents with a green card, beneficiaries of EAD employment authorization documents, asylum seekers already in proceedings, refugees admitted under INA Section 207, and foreign nationals with valid visas in their passport issued by a U.S. consulate. Canadian citizens who crossed the land border and did not receive admission documentation may also be exempt, depending on the manner of entry.
USCIS’s interpretation is straightforward: if you have at any point in your immigration history received a document evidencing federal registration, you are covered. Questions most often arise for those who entered in atypical circumstances — without formal inspection, under older parole grants, or through programs that did not generate an I-94.
The Five-Step Process
Compliance involves a digital workflow integrated with the my.uscis.gov portal, with a possible in-person appointment for biometric collection. The five phases can be completed within a few weeks if no outstanding issues exist.
Individual USCIS Account
Each person needs their own profile. Parents registering minor children create two separate profiles: their own and the child’s. Joint registration does not exist, and the system blocks any attempt at consolidation.
Submission of Form G-325R
The G-325R — Biographic Information (Registration) is the official instrument created by USCIS for this purpose. It collects biographical data, address history, information about close family members, and details of entry into the United States. The form exists only in electronic format, within the logged-in account on the portal. There is no PDF version for postal submission.
USCIS Review
After submission, the system cross-references the data against federal immigration databases. Those identified as already registered receive an automatic confirmation and are cleared of any additional steps. Those who require biometric collection are directed to the next phase.
Biometric Collection at an ASC
USCIS Application Support Centers collect fingerprints, photographs, and digital signatures. Appointment notices are sent by physical mail and through the portal. Missing a scheduled appointment without formal justification constitutes non-compliance and may trigger criminal consequences.
Registration Certificate
Once the process is complete, the foreign national receives an electronic document in their USCIS dashboard. This certificate should be carried or have a printed copy readily accessible, particularly when traveling or interacting with federal and state authorities.
Real Penalties for Non-Compliance
Section 266 of the INA, codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1306, establishes specific sanctions for refusing to register or provide biometrics when required. In 2026, fines reach $5,000 and penalties may include imprisonment of up to six months, applicable cumulatively.
Liability applies both to foreign nationals aged 14 or older who directly refuse to comply and to parents or guardians who fail to register minors in their care. Beyond criminal sanctions, non-compliance carries immigration consequences: it can constitute bad faith in future benefit applications, hinder renewals, jeopardize adjustment of status proceedings, and be cited in removal proceedings.
What to Do If the Deadline Has Already Passed
Foreign nationals who exceeded the 30-day period without registering should regularize their situation immediately. The system allows late registration, but the delay is documented. In sensitive situations — upcoming interviews, pending applications, or prior contact with authorities — the recommendation is to carefully review the immigration history before submitting Form G-325R, as the form becomes a permanent part of the foreign national’s federal record.
Connection to the Address Change Notification Requirement
Biometric registration does not replace another active obligation: reporting an address change through Form AR-11, which must be submitted to USCIS within 10 days of the change. The two requirements go hand in hand. A registered foreign national must keep their information current, under penalty of additional fines and suspension of benefits.
The combination of these two rules — initial biometric registration and address updates — signals a stricter federal posture toward tracking the immigrant population. For anyone present in the United States under any status, the practical recommendation is clear: treat compliance with these obligations as an administrative priority, not as optional bureaucracy.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
