Trump’s alien registration program has compelled 47,000 undocumented immigrants to register with federal authorities, creating a controversial catch-22 where those who don’t register face criminal penalties while those who do may face deportation.

At a Glance

• Trump administration’s “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” executive order requires undocumented immigrants aged 14+ to register with the federal government or face fines up to $5,000 and six months imprisonment
• Registered individuals must provide fingerprints and carry proof of registration at all times
• 47,000 undocumented immigrants have registered so far under the new requirements
• Critics warn the registry could be used to identify and target individuals for deportation
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem states the law has long existed but will now be enforced to support immigration policies

Registration Requirements and Penalties

The Trump administration has implemented a mandatory Alien Registration Requirement (ARR) targeting undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for 30 days or more. Under the executive order “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” all undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older must register with federal authorities, submit to fingerprinting, and parents must register children under 14. Adults 18 and over must carry proof of registration at all times, reminiscent of identification requirements from decades past.

Failure to comply with these registration requirements comes with serious consequences. Immigrants who don’t register could face criminal charges, including fines up to $5,000 and potential imprisonment for up to six months. The administration has framed this initiative as enforcement of existing laws rather than new policy creation.

Administration’s Position and Enforcement Approach

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been vocal about the administration’s approach to the registration requirement. In public statements, she has emphasized that the requirement itself is not new legislation but rather a renewed commitment to enforce existing laws. The administration characterizes the program as providing a path for undocumented immigrants to return to their home countries and potentially re-enter the United States through legal channels in the future.

“The law has long been on the books”, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said in an interview on Fox News, but she will start enforcing it as the Trump administration seeks to use “every single tool at [its] disposal” to implement the president’s promised immigration crackdown.”

The registration initiative is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reports having assisted in the arrest of 369 immigrants and identified numerous cases of immigration and benefits fraud. The administration has also increased social media vetting, with some visas being revoked based on controversial remarks made by visa holders. Republicans are seeking additional funding to enhance border security and detention capacity.

Criticism and Concerns

Critics of the registration program argue that it creates an impossible situation for undocumented immigrants. They must either reveal themselves to authorities and risk deportation or remain unregistered and face criminal penalties. Immigration advocates, including the National Immigration Law Center, have expressed concerns that the registry will primarily serve as a mechanism to identify and target individuals for deportation, rather than as a pathway to legal status as suggested by administration officials.

Immigration attorneys and policy experts point out that many undocumented immigrants have been in the United States for over a decade, contrary to claims that most entered during the previous administration. Legal challenges to the program are mounting, with critics describing enforcement actions as a “bait-and-switch” that could potentially trigger constitutional concerns. The administration’s broader immigration crackdown includes controversial measures such as attempts to suspend refugee resettlement and conduct immigration raids in traditionally protected locations like schools and churches.

Historical Context and Current Impact

The current registration requirement draws comparisons to the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which was the last comprehensive campaign requiring all noncitizens to register with the federal government. That program operated under significantly different historical circumstances during the World War II era. The modern implementation affects millions of undocumented immigrants who have not previously filed official applications with immigration authorities.

USCIS has responded to implementation challenges by creating tools to help immigrants determine if they need to register and by promoting awareness of the requirement. For those who choose to self-deport, the process is monitored through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app. With only 47,000 registrations reported thus far, questions remain about the program’s effectiveness in addressing the estimated millions of undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States.