(The Center Square) – Foreign nationals living in the U.S. legally and illegally are required to register with the federal government in compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.
DHS says it “will fully enforce” the INA under the Trump administration. The INA “created multiple tools to track illegal aliens and compel them to leave the country voluntarily,” DHS said. Tools include imposing criminal penalties for those who willfully fail to depart the U.S., fail to register with the federal government and be fingerprinted, and fail to apprise the federal government of address changes.
DHS notes that “an alien’s failure to depart the U.S. is a crime that could result in significant financial penalty. An alien’s failure to register is a crime that could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.
“For decades, this law has been ignored – not anymore.”
DHS argues that “compelling mass self-deportation is a safer path for aliens and law enforcement, and saves U.S. taxpayer dollars, in addition to conserving valuable Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement resources needed to keep Americans safe.”
The directive was issued as part of President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20th executive order, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which directed DHS to fully enforce existing federal law, The Center Square reported.
Section 262 of the INA requires all illegal foreign nationals, with limited exceptions, age 14 and older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and remained in the U.S. for 30 days or more, to apply to be registered and fingerprinted. Parents and guardians are required to register children under age 14. Those over age 18 are required to carry their registration on them at all times.
“It is the legal obligation of all unregistered aliens (or previously registered children who turn 14 years old) in the United States to comply with these requirements. Failure to comply will result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanor prosecution and the payment of fines,” DHS says.
Illegal foreign nationals that haven’t yet registered and been fingerprinted will be able to begin the process by using a new form produced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency within DHS.
“No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law,” DHS said.
DHS also notes that registration “is not an immigration status” and registration documentation “does not establish employment authorization or any other right or benefit under the INA or any other U.S. law.”
American Indians born in Canada who entered the U.S. under INA section 289 and members of the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians who entered the U.S. under the Texas Band of Kickapoo Act aren’t required to register.
Information about registration can be found here. DHS also provides clarification about those who’ve already registered, including lawful permanent residents, among others, and those who haven’t registered and need to be.
The announcement comes after DHS launched a nationwide and international ad campaign warning illegal border crossers to self-deport and not to illegally enter the U.S., The Center Square reported.
In it, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warned illegal border crossers to voluntarily leave the U.S., saying, “Leave now. If you don’t, we will find you and we will deport you. You will never return.
“If you leave now, you may have an opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American Dream. But understand this: under President Trump, America’s borders are closed to lawbreakers. Follow the law and you’ll find opportunity. Break it and you’ll find consequences. The choice is yours.”
The announcement also comes after more than 14 million foreign nationals were reported illegally entering the U.S. under the Biden administration, including more than two million who evaded capture, The Center Square exclusively reported.
