In a sweeping and controversial move that has sparked concern among immigrant communities across the United States, the White House has announced a new mandate requiring all foreign nationals residing in the country for more than 30 days to register with the federal government. Non-compliance could lead to serious consequences, including fines, imprisonment, deportation, and a permanent ban from re-entry.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that all foreign nationals present in the United States longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. She warned that failure to comply constitutes a crime punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both. “If not, you will be arrested, fined, deported, and barred from returning to our country again,” she added.
The directive revives the decades-old Alien Registration Act, originally enacted during World War II, and comes after a federal court ruling cleared the path for enforcement. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, a Trump appointee, dismissed a legal challenge from advocacy groups, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked sufficient standing to block the regulation.
The policy requires all foreign nationals, including legal visa holders and permanent residents, to register if they remain in the U.S. longer than 30 days. Individuals must also carry proof of registration at all times. New arrivals without valid documentation must register within a month of entry, and children turning 14 must re-register and provide fingerprints, regardless of prior registration.
The Department of Homeland Security clarified that individuals entering the U.S. after April 11 are required to register within 30 days. Leavitt, who also serves as Assistant to President Donald Trump, emphasized that the measure is about national security and the enforcement of immigration law. She stated that the administration would not selectively enforce laws and underscored the importance of knowing who is residing in the country.
Penalties for failing to register include fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 30 days, deportation proceedings, and a permanent ban on re-entry into the United States. The announcement has stirred anxiety, particularly among undocumented immigrants, temporary visa holders, and mixed-status families, many of whom fear increased enforcement and heightened scrutiny under the new rule.
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