美国国土安全部发布外国人登记表格及登记证明最终规则

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( printed page 39248)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Final rule with request for comments.

On March 12, 2025, DHS issued an interim final rule (IFR) with request for comments amending DHS regulations to designate a new registration form for aliens to comply with statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions. Unregistered aliens may use this general registration form to satisfy their statutory obligations. This final rule responds to public comments, amends DHS regulations to adjust the lists of forms and processes that may serve as registration forms and evidence of alien registration, and seeks comments on other potential changes to the regulations relating to alien registration and fingerprinting.

This final rule is effective on June 29, 2026.

Comment period for solicited comments: Comments on the other potential changes relating to alien registration and fingerprinting described in section V, Request for Comments, of this preamble must be submitted on or before August 28, 2026.

Comment period for solicited additional comments: You may submit comments on the specific issues identified in section V, Request for Comments, of this preamble via Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, to DHS Docket Number USCIS-2025-0004. Follow the website instructions for submitting comments.

Comments submitted in a manner other than via https://www.regulations.gov, including emails or letters sent to the Department's officials, will not be considered and may not receive a response from the Department. Please note that the Department cannot accept any comments that are hand-delivered or couriered. In addition, the Department cannot accept comments contained on any form of digital media storage, such as CDs, DVDs, or USB drives. The Department is not accepting mailed comments at this time. If you cannot submit your comment by using https://www.regulations.gov, please contact John R. Pfirrmann-Powell, Acting Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, by telephone at (240) 721-3000 for alternate instructions.

Branch Chief, Residence and Admissibility Branch, Residence and Naturalization Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 20746; telephone (240) 721-3000 (not a toll-free call).

I. Executive Summary

A. Basis and Purpose

B. Legal Authority

C. Summary of the Changes From the Interim Final Rule to the Final Rule

D. Request for Comments on Potential Future Changes

E. Severability

F. Costs and Benefits

II. Background

A. Alien Registration Requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act

B. Regulations Prior to the 2025 IFR

C. The March 2025 IFR

III. Response to Public Comments on the IFR

A. Overview of Comments on the IFR

B. Support for the IFR

C. Opposition to the Rule and Policy Objections

1. General Negative Impacts

2. Impact on Specific Populations

3. Impact on Aliens' Legal Services

4. Impact on the Immigration System and Government Operations

5. Impact on Communities and Public Safety

D. Legal Issues and Statutory Provisions

1. General Legal Authority and Legality of the IFR

2. Legal Basis for the IFR

3. Constitutional Concerns Related to the IFR

4. The IFR's Compliance With International Law

E. Applicability

1. General Applicability

2. Applicability to Minors

3. Applicability to Canadian Citizens

4. Applicability to Aliens Seeking Humanitarian Relief

5. Applicability to Other Immigrant Populations

F. Specific Rule Provisions

1. Regulatory Structure of 8 CFR 264.1(a) and (b)

2. Submission Process

3. Proof of Registration

4. Biometrics Process

5. Filing Fee

6. Registration Validity

G. Other Issues Relating to the Rule

1. Confidentiality/Privacy of Registration and Fingerprinting

2. Implementation Timeline

3. Other Issues Related to the Rule

H. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

1. Administrative Procedure Act

2. Regulatory Impact Analysis, Costs, and Benefits (E.O. 12866 and E.O. 13563)

3. Other Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

I. Out of Scope

1. Registration Requirements Under Pre-Existing Statute and Regulation

2. Enforcement of Criminal Provisions

3. Other Out of Scope (Not Related to Registration Requirements)

IV. Additional Changes in the Final Rule

A. Changes to the Prescribed Registration Forms in 8 CFR 264.1(a)

1. Removing Prescribed Registration Forms

2. Updating Prescribed Registration Form Names, Numbers, and Related Classes

B. Changes to Forms Constitute Evidence of Registration in 8 CFR 264.1(b)

1. Updating Form I-94 as Evidence of Registration

2. Updating Forms Name and Numbers Related to Bordering Crossing Cards

3. Adding Forms that Constitute Evidence of Registration

4. Remove “Form” in 8 CFR 264.1(b)

C. Changes to Fingerprint Waiver in 8 CFR 264.1(e)(1)

D. Updates to 8 CFR 264.1(g)

E. Changes to Temporary Evidence of Permanent Resident Status in 8 CFR 264.5(h)

F. Changes to Related to the Application for a Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record in 8 CFR 264.6

V. Request for Comments

A. Prescribe Additional Registration Forms To Align With DHS Information Collections and Ensure Screening and Vetting to a Uniform Baseline

B. Ensuring That Evidence of Registration Is Provided to Aliens Who Have Registered and Been Screened and Vetted to a Uniform Baseline

1. Eliminate Certain Prescribed Evidence of Alien Registration Forms From 8 CFR 264.1(b)

2. Updates to the Classes of Aliens for Whom a Form I-94 Constitutes Evidence of Registration Under 8 CFR 264.1(b)

C. Issuance of Evidence of Registration Prior to Adjudication of Related Benefit Request

D. Updating Outdated Waivers of Biometrics Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrants

1. Eliminate or Replace the Biometrics Waiver for Certain Nonimmigrant Aliens

2. Clarify “Not Previously Fingerprinted” in 8 CFR 264.1(e)(2) and (3)

E. Requirement To Apply for Replace Permanent Resident Card When Alien Reaches 14 Years Old

VI. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

A. Administrative Procedure Act

1. Procedural Rule Exception

2. Delayed Effective Date

B. Executive Order 12866, 13563

1. Summary

2. Affected Population ( printed page 39249)

3. Costs

4. Benefits

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Congressional Review Act)

F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

G. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

H. Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments)

I. Family Assessment

J. National Environmental Policy Act

K. Paperwork Reduction Act

APA—Administrative Procedure Act

ADIT—Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication

ARR—Alien Registration Requirement

ASC—USCIS Application Support Center

BCC—Border Crossing Card

BIA—Board of Immigration Appeals

CBP—U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CFR—Code of Federal Regulations

CPI-U—Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers

CRCL—DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

DACA—Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

DHS—Department of Homeland Security

DOJ—U.S. Department of Justice

DOL—U.S. Department of Labor

EAD—Employment Authorization Document

ELIS—Electronic Immigration System

E.O.—Executive Order

EOIR—Executive Office for Immigration Review

EWI—Entered Without Inspection

FAM—Foreign Affairs Manual

FBI—Federal Bureau of Investigation

FISMA—Federal Information Security Modernization Act

FOIA—Freedom of Information Act

FR—Federal Register

HHS—U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

HSA—Homeland Security Act

ICE—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ID—Identification Card

IFR—Interim Final Rule

IIRIRA—Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act

INA—Immigration and Nationality Act

INS—Immigration and Naturalization Service

IRCA—Immigration Reform and Control Act

IT—Information Technology

LPR—Lawful Permanent Resident

NATO—North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NEPA—National Environment Policy Act

NPRM—Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

NSEERS—National Security Entry-Exit Registration System

NTA—Notice to Appear

OHSS—Office of Homeland Security Statistics

OIRA—Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

OMB—Office of Management and Budget

ORR—Office of Refugee Resettlement

PIA—Privacy Impact Assessment

PRA—Paperwork Reduction Act

Pub. L.—Public Law

RFA—Regulatory Flexibility Act

SAW—Special Agricultural Worker

SBREFA—Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

Secretary—Secretary of Homeland Security

SIJ—Special Immigrant Juvenile

SORN—System of Record Notice

SSN—Social Security Number

State—U.S. Department of State

TPS—Temporary Protected Status

TVPA—Trafficking Victims Protection Act

TVPRA—William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008

TTP—Trusted Traveler Programs

UAC—Unaccompanied Alien Child

UMRA—Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

U.S.C.—United States Code

USCIS—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

VAWA—Violence Against Women Act

VTVPA—Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act

Instructions for providing comments are in the ADDRESSES caption.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the specific issues identified in section V, Request for Comments, of this preamble by submitting relevant written data, views, comments, and arguments by the deadline stated in the DATES caption. To provide the most assistance to DHS, comments should explain the reason for any recommendation and include data, information, or authority that supports the recommended course of action. Comments must be submitted in English, or an English translation must be provided. Comments submitted in a manner other than pursuant to the instructions, including emails or letters sent to the Department's officials, will not be considered comments on the rule and may not receive a response from the Department.

Privacy: You may wish to consider limiting the amount of personal information that you provide in any public comment submission you make to the Department. The Department may withhold information provided in comments from public viewing that they determine may impact the privacy of an individual or is offensive. For additional information, please read the Privacy and Security Notice at https://www.regulations.gov.

Docket: For access to the docket and to read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov, referencing DHS Docket No. USCIS-2025-0004. You may also sign up for email alerts on the online docket to be notified when additional documents are added to the docket.

On March 12, 2025, DHS issued an IFR with request for comments. See90 FR 11793 (Mar. 12, 2025). The IFR was effective on April 11, 2025. The IFR amended DHS regulations to designate a new registration form for aliens to comply with the statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provision. The IFR partially implemented section 7 of the Executive Order (E.O.) 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion (Jan. 20, 2025), 90 FR 8443 (Jan. 29, 2025), which directed the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary), among other things, to take appropriate action to ensure that all previously unregistered aliens in the United States comply with the statutory registration requirements.

After careful consideration of the public comments submitted in connection with the IFR, DHS is finalizing the IFR and making additional procedural and technical modifications to the regulatory text at 8 CFR 264.1 in response to the public comments. The rationale for the changes provided to 8 CFR 264.1 in the IFR and the reasoning provided in the IFR's preamble remain valid, except as distinguished in this final rule.

The purpose of this final rule remains the same as articulated throughout the IFR: to improve the registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens to better ensure that all previously unregistered aliens in the United States comply with the statutory requirements in sections 261 through 266 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1301 through 1306. The IFR filled a gap in the DHS regulatory regime by prescribing a registration form available to all aliens regardless of their status and corresponding evidence as proof of that registration. This final rule adopts the IFR as final. The rule improves DHS law enforcement efficacy, making it easier and safer for DHS to enforce the law by providing more comprehensive information about the location of aliens in the United States. Additionally, increased compliance with fingerprinting requirements will provide DHS with additional information about an alien's criminal record, including whether the alien is a known or suspected terrorist.

The final rule also makes additional technical corrections in the existing regulations to replace the name, description, and number of certain forms in 8 CFR 264.1(a) and (b) that have evolved or changed over time, eliminates references to certain long- ( printed page 39250) expired forms that aliens cannot use to register, and prescribes some additional forms as evidence of registration. The final rule also makes technical amendments and corrections to the fingerprinting waiver provisions of 8 CFR 264.1(e) and 8 CFR 264.1(g) related to the registration requirement of aliens who turn 14 years, as well as the provisions of 8 CFR 264.5(h) relating to temporary evidence of registration and lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Finally, the rule makes technical corrections to 8 CFR 264.6. These changes reduce confusion and improve the usability of the revised provisions. These technical amendments and corrections do not substantively impact the regulated public.

The authority for the Secretary to issue this final rule is found in various provisions of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., including section 103(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1103(a), which authorizes the Secretary to administer and enforce the immigration laws and establish such regulations as the Secretary deems necessary for carrying out such authority. The authority is furthermore found in sections 262 through 266 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1306, which govern the registration of aliens and authorizes the Secretary to prepare forms for registration and fingerprinting of aliens. Section 102(a)(3) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA), 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(3), vests all functions of all DHS officers, employees, and organizational units in the Secretary. See also6 U.S.C. 202, 271; INA sec. 214(a)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1184(a)(1).

Following careful consideration of the public comments received in response to the IFR, this final rule makes additional changes to DHS's registration and fingerprinting regulations. DHS is not seeking public comments on these changes. DHS is taking the following actions in this final rule:

While DHS did not impose a fee as part of the IFR, DHS requested comments on adding a potential biometric services fee per registrant of $30. After careful consideration of the comments received, DHS has determined that it will not, at this time, impose a biometric services fee, but may impose an application or biometric services fee in the future.

Additionally, within the IFR, DHS requested comments on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-approved Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration), for purposes of the 60-day Federal Register Notice under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. See90 FR 11793, 11799 (Mar. 12, 2025). The comment period for purposes of the PRA ended on May 12, 2025. Any public comment received on Form G-325R as a result of the IFR has been responded to in the 30-day Federal Register Notice published for purposes of obtaining OMB approval of Form G-325R [1] on August 11, 2025, at 90 FR 38655. The information collection instrument with instructions and additional supporting documents, including responses to comments submitted as part of the 60-day Federal Register Notice, can be accessed by visiting the Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: https://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID number USCIS-2025-0005.

In section V of this preamble, DHS solicits comments on certain potential amendments throughout the existing regulation in 8 CFR part 264 to improve usability and reduce the need for conforming changes in future rules. Potential future amendments for which DHS is seeking comments include:

In issuing this final rule, it is DHS's intention that the rule's various provisions be considered severable from one another to the greatest extent possible. If a court of competent jurisdiction were to hold that any of the provisions amended were not to be applied to a particular category of individuals or circumstances, DHS would intend for the court to leave the remainder of the rule in place with respect to all covered persons and circumstances. DHS's overarching goal is to improve the registration outcomes of aliens not previously registered consistent with the provisions of the INA.

This rule makes available another method for aliens to comply with the alien registration requirements of the INA. The rule does not impose new registration or fingerprinting obligations separate from the obligations already contained in the INA. The rule provides benefits by providing a general registration option to allow unregistered aliens to comply with their registration requirements and improve DHS enforcement. DHS recognizes that there are costs to aliens to comply with registration requirements in the INA. Because this rule does not impose new alien registration or biometric obligations separate from those already contained in the INA, the costs are inherent to compliance with the statute and are not a result of this rule. This rule may result in increased compliance costs for aliens that use this option. Costs to aliens may include the time to complete and file a registration form, as well as time spent traveling to an ASC, submitting fingerprints, and record retention. There is currently no fee for applicants to file the form or to submit biometrics. This rule may increase costs to DHS from additional alien registrations resulting from this rule. DHS estimates current registration and biometrics submissions under this rule have cost aliens approximately $21.3 million, as of May 7, 2026. The estimated burden to the Agency is $0.6 million from collecting and processing biometrics. DHS has considered the possibility that this rule, perhaps in combination with other policies, could have some indirect effects, such as increased legal costs for those who choose to seek legal assistance and potential workforce impacts. We do not have sufficient information to quantify these effects.Table 1 provides a summary of the regulatory changes and the estimated costs and benefits associated with the expected impacts. ( printed page 39252)

Table 1—Summary of Estimated Impacts of the Rule, FY 2025

The Alien Registration Act of 1940, also known as the Smith Act, was enacted into law on June 28, 1940.[2] The Smith Act generally required all aliens in the country beyond 30 days to apply to register and to be fingerprinted. Congress later incorporated these requirements, as amended, in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, Public Law 82-414, 66 Stat. 163. The registration and fingerprinting requirements currently appear, as amended, in part VII of subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 8, United States Code (8 U.S.C. 1301 through 1306). Throughout this preamble, we refer to such requirements as the alien registration requirements or the alien registration requirements of the INA.

Under the alien registration requirements of the INA, with limited exceptions ( e.g., for visa holders who have already been registered and fingerprinted (through their application for a visa) and A and G visa holders),[3] all aliens above the age of 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and be fingerprinted before the expiration of 30 days. See INA sec. 262(a), 8 U.S.C. 1302(a). Similarly, parents and legal guardians must ensure that their children below the age of 14 are registered. See INA sec. 262(b), 8 U.S.C. 1302(b). Within 30 days of reaching his or her 14th birthday, the alien child must “apply in person for registration and to be fingerprinted.” Id. The Secretary may, in his discretion and on the basis of reciprocity pursuant to such regulations as he may prescribe, waive the requirement of fingerprinting specified in section 262(a) and (b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(a) and (b), in the case of any nonimmigrant. See INA sec. 262(c), 8 U.S.C. 1302(c). As discussed in the next section, the Secretary has exercised this discretion with respect to certain nonimmigrants.

An alien's willful failure or refusal to apply to register or to be fingerprinted is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both.[4] The same applies to an alien's parent or legal guardian's willful failure or refusal to register. See INA sec 266(a), 8 U.S.C. 1306(a). Any alien or any parent or legal guardian of an alien who files a registration application “containing statements known by him to be false, or who procures or attempts to procure registration of himself or through another person by fraud” is subject to criminal prosecution. See INA sec. 266(c), 8 U.S.C. 1306(c). See, e.g.,18 U.S.C. 1001, 1546. A conviction for fraudulent registration constitutes a ground of removal under section 237(a)(3)(B)(i) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(3)(B)(i).

The Secretary has authority to “prepare forms for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens,” which “shall contain inquiries with respect to (1) the date and place of entry of the alien into the United States; (2) activities in which he has been and intends to be engaged; (3) the length of time he expects to remain in the United States; (4) the police and criminal record, if any, of such alien; and (5) such additional matters as may be prescribed.” See INA sec. 264(a), 8 U.S.C. 1304(a). The Secretary also has authority to prescribe “special regulations and forms for the registration and fingerprinting of” certain classes of aliens, including “aliens of any other class not lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence,” “[n]otwithstanding the provisions of” sections 261 and 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1301 and 1302. See INA sec. 263(a), 8 U.S.C. 1303(a). Although this rule is fully consistent with sections 261 and 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1301 and 1302 and related authority, the Secretary also invokes section 263(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1303(a) to the extent necessary to support this rulemaking.

Every alien in the United States who has been registered and fingerprinted under the alien registration requirements of the INA must “be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations issued by the [Secretary].” [5] Every registered alien 18 years of age and over must at all times carry and have in his or her personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card. Noncompliance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. See INA sec. 266(b), 8 ( printed page 39253) U.S.C. 1306(b); 18 U.S.C. 3559(a)(8), 3571(b)(6).

Finally, each alien required to be registered under the alien registration requirements of the INA who is within the United States must notify DHS in writing of each change of address and new address within 10 days from the date of such change and provide such additional information as the Secretary may require by regulation. See INA sec. 265(a), 8 U.S.C. 1305(a). Noncompliance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. In addition, any alien who has failed to comply with the change-of-address notification requirements of 8 U.S.C. 1305 is removable unless the alien establishes that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful. See INA sec. 237(a)(3)(A), 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(3)(A).

Longstanding regulations provide that within 30 days after reaching the age of 14 years old, an alien in the United States who is not exempt from alien registration must apply for registration and fingerprinting, unless fingerprinting is waived under 8 CFR 264.1(e),[6] in accordance with applicable form instructions. See8 CFR 264.1(g).

If such alien is an LPR of the United States and is temporarily absent from the United States when he or she reaches the age of 14, the alien must apply for registration and provide a photograph within 30 days of his or her return to the United States in accordance with applicable form instructions. See8 CFR 264.1(g)(1). The alien, if an LPR of the United States, must surrender any prior evidence of alien registration. Id.

DHS regulations prescribe forms that satisfy the alien registration requirements. See8 CFR 264.1(a). The regulations also designate certain forms as constituting evidence of registration. See8 CFR 264.1(b).

Before the IFR added Form G-325R, 8 CFR 264.1(a) identified the following forms as registration forms:

Before the IFR added “USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration,” 8 CFR 264.1(b) listed the following forms as constituting evidence of registration:

In addition, under a note to 8 CFR 264.1(b), a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport constitutes evidence of registration.

On March 12, 2025, DHS published an IFR with request for comments in the Federal Register ,90 FR 11793 (Mar. 12, 2025). The IFR partially implemented section 7 of E.O. 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, issued on January 20, 2025. See90 FR 8443 (Jan. 29, 2025). Section 7 directs the DHS, in coordination with the Department of State (State) and the Attorney General, to take all appropriate action to:

Following the issuance of this E.O., DHS reviewed the registration regulations at 8 CFR part 264 and determined that it would be appropriate to designate a general registration form in addition to those already identified in the regulations to improve registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens who currently lack a designated registration form, such as aliens who are present without being admitted or paroled and have not otherwise been encountered by DHS, or Canadian nonimmigrants for business or pleasure who are not issued Form I-94. See90 FR 11793, 11795 (Mar. 12, 2025).

Consistent with the E.O. and the alien registration requirements of the INA, the IFR designated new Form G-325R, Biometric Information (Registration) as a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of their status. See90 FR 11793, 11795 (Mar. 12, 2025). As explained in the IFR, to use this option, aliens must create their own unique account, or an account for their child, in myUSCIS at https://my.uscis.gov/​ and then complete the Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration). See90 FR 11793, 11796 (Mar. 12, 2025). There is no fee.

Submission of the registration in myUSCIS initiates the process for the alien's biometric services appointment at a local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for the collection of biometrics, including fingerprints, photograph, and signature.

Once an alien successfully completes his or her biometrics appointment at an ASC, the USCIS Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) case management system triggers the creation of “USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration” with a unique identifier printed on the document. For those aliens, such as Canadian nonimmigrants and aliens under the age of 14 years old, required to register but for whom the fingerprint requirement is waived, the ELIS case management system triggers the creation of the “USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration” upon receipt of the Form G-325R. This “USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration” document is then posted to the alien's myUSCIS account. In the myUSCIS account, the alien is allowed to download a PDF version of the document and can print it. This document serves as evidence of the alien's registration for purposes of section 264(d) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(d).

The IFR filled the gaps in the regulatory regime by prescribing a registration form available to all aliens regardless of their status, in addition to the other forms already listed. Specifically, the IFR listed the new form at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and listed the corresponding evidence of registration at 8 CFR 264.1(b). See90 FR 11793, 11796 (Mar. 12, 2025).

Consistent with section 289 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1359, DHS interpreted the registration and fingerprinting requirements of section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 to exclude from “all aliens” American Indians born in Canada who possess at least 50 per centum of blood of the American Indian race who are present in the United States under the authority of section 289 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1359, as section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 and other provisions of subchapter II of chapter 12, title 8 of the U.S. Code are construed consistent with their right to pass the borders of the United States.[10] Therefore, the registration form added in the IFR is not used by these entrants because such entrants do not have to register.[11]

The IFR did not impose any new registration or fingerprinting obligations separate from the obligations already contained in the INA. An alien who has previously registered consistent with 8 CFR 264.1(a), or an alien who has evidence of registration consistent with 8 CFR 264.1(b), generally need not register again, although such an alien is subject to ongoing change of address reporting requirements under section 265(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1305(a) and 8 CFR 265.1, which are in addition to, and separate from, any other address reporting obligations the alien may have.

While DHS did not incorporate a fee for filing the Form G-325R, DHS requested comments in the IFR on the option of adding biometric services fee per registrant of $30, for the collection, use, and storage of biometric information, pursuant to 8 CFR 103.16 and 17.

When issuing the IFR, DHS invited the public to participate in the rulemaking by submitting post-promulgation comments on every aspect of the rule. DHS also invited the public to comment on a potential biometric services fee, including on the calculation of the fee. Additionally, the IFR contained a secondary comment period for purposes of the 60-day Federal Register notice under the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and OMB approved Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration). See90 FR 11793, 11799 (Mar. 12, 2025). DHS requested that comments on the information collection included the term OMB Control Number 1615-NEW. The comment period for purposes of the PRA ended on May 12, 2025. Any public comment received on Form G-325R has been responded to as part of the 30-day Federal Register notice published for purposes of obtaining OMB approval of Form G-325R [12] on August 11, 2025, at 90 FR 38655. The information collection instrument with instructions and additional supporting documents, including responses to comments submitted as part of the 60-day Federal Register Notice, can be accessed by visiting the Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: http://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID number USCIS-2025-0005.

Comments were submitted by a range of entities and individuals, including attorneys and legal service providers, applicants, individual commenters, professional organizations, unions, advocacy groups, religious organizations, research and community ( printed page 39255) organizations, and State and local government agencies or elected officials.

In response to the IFR, DHS received 4,198 public comment submissions during the initial comment period that ended on April 11, 2025, for purposes of the IFR and the information collection. The secondary comment period for purposes of the information collection closed on May 12, 2025, with 71 additional submissions received to the docket after April 11, 2025.

DHS appreciates all comments and feedback. A few commenters expressed their support for the IFR or parts thereof, and the registration requirements. The majority of commenters opposed the statutory registration requirement and thus, the implementation thereof, including the IFR, Form G-325R, or the form's contents based on the impact on various populations or past practices but without providing specific suggestions. The majority of the commenters requested that DHS rescind the rule.

DHS is responding to the feedback received in this final rule but reiterates that, for approximately 85 years, the laws of the United States, including longstanding regulations, have required most aliens present in the United States who remain for 30 days or longer to register and, with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted. The IFR and this final rule have not modified these statutory requirements. Similarly, the IFR and final rule do not modify the criminal penalties established by Congress many decades ago that apply when aliens fail to meet their registration and related obligations. This rule is consistent with E.O. 14159 and the alien registration requirements in sections 262 through 265 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1305, and establishes a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. DHS has no authority to rescind the E.O. or the alien registration requirements of the INA.

Comment: Multiple commenters expressed support for the IFR. One commenter noted the IFR is a means for DHS and USCIS to comply with E.O. 14159. The commenter reasoned that a general registration form for all unregistered aliens,[13] regardless of status, would improve registration outcomes and support the enforcement of immigration laws and regulations. The commenter added that this new registration form would bridge the regulatory gap between “certain immigration statuses” and appropriate registration procedures and requirements. Another commenter reasoned that “aliens need to be vetted” to protect the safety of U.S. citizens, including by knowing “who has entered our country,” and encouraged DHS to “pass” this regulation.

Response: DHS agrees that the new registration form and evidence of registration will improve registration outcomes and support the enforcement of immigration laws and regulations. DHS appreciates the commenters' feedback and support for DHS obligation to faithfully execute immigration laws established by Congress.

Comment: Many commenters voiced concerns with Federal overreach as a result of the IFR. Commenters variously wrote that the IFR is “invasive,” “out of bounds,” would create a “police state,” “has no place in our system of democratic laws,” would violate the rule of law, would allow excessive surveillance or government control that sets a troubling precedent, represents an abuse of power, and is a dangerous expansion of state control that will enable the government to surveil millions of people. A commenter stated that once implemented, the IFR could provide a tool by which any future administration could enact targeted, repressive measures against alien residents of the United States. The commenter remarked that authority, once delegated to governing bodies, is rarely yielded or revoked, and that DHS should take care to consider the regulatory precedent the IFR would establish. Another commenter stated that the IFR imposes a similar registration requirement that was imposed by Germany during World War II as a means to control unpopular groups. A commenter added that while the registration is codified in the laws of the United States and it is lawful to ensure compliance, the law disproportionately impacts individuals and their families who have been living and contributing to society peacefully for years, especially those with pending immigration relief or humanitarian protections.

Another commenter stated that the normalization of mass surveillance for one group sets a dangerous precedent, potentially paving the way for broader erosions of privacy and civil rights for all individuals. A commenter stated that the IFR gives the Secretary of Homeland Security unchecked discretionary power to monitor, register, and remove immigrants and thus, was “a sweeping revision of prior powers to the Secretary.”

Commenters expressed reservations about the implications of surveillance by law enforcement. For example, a commenter wrote that surveillance measures weaken the social fabric of entire communities. Other commenters wrote that the expansion of surveillance could eventually include all U.S. citizens, with another expressing concern about the ease with which the policy could expand surveillance and restrict individual liberties.

A commenter wrote that the IFR would create “undignified” monitoring requirements that would be a barrier to integration, economic participation, and community trust. Another commenter said the IFR is an “absolute abomination,” as it targets and entraps people who contribute to the cultural depth and economic vitality of the United States. One commenter stated that this tactic relies on lies to divide people, while another commenter said that “this program” sends an unwelcoming message.

Another commenter expressed concern that the data collected under the IFR could facilitate human rights abuses, similar to those seen in historical mandatory registration programs. The commenter cited examples such as the internment of Japanese citizens during World War II, the post-September 11 NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System) program, and the registration of Jews during the Holocaust. The commenter remarked that there are no safeguards in the IFR to prevent such abuses and recommended rescinding the rule to protect privacy and prevent potential harm.

A commenter wrote that if the Federal Government intends to enforce a “show me your papers” rule against aliens, then every person in the United States, including U.S. citizens, must carry proof of their immigration status or face penalties. With regard to “carrying papers,” a commenter stated that registered immigrants risk prosecution if they do not carry them or update their address, while aliens face deportation or criminal charges. A different commenter said that certain States have already ( printed page 39256) seen immigration enforcement and said that with a nationwide “show me your papers” law, U.S. citizens without proof on them, or LPRs, are also at risk of being unlawfully detained and even deported. The commenter stated that the rule and registration processes are an affront to public safety as well as national security, which this process purports to uphold.

Another commenter criticized the IFR as a “deep overreach” in Federal authority, despite the administration's promises to turn more power to the States. Another commenter viewed the IFR as contradictory to the administration's stated goal of reducing regulations. Commenters also wrote that the rule and forced registration reinforces the idea of a “Deep State” and surveillance state, where government officials use registration data to track, target, and punish individuals in direct violation of human rights and U.S. rights.

A commenter stated that requiring registered aliens to update the government with their current residence is surveillance “on par with a parole sentence that no other U.S. citizen has to go through.” Commenters stated that the IFR and the registration requirement are a step toward mass surveillance and criminalization of “undocumented” communities; that these requirements are “Orwellian;” and that they have the potential government overreach and the misuse of data to surveil immigrants.

Numerous commenters suggested that the rule is un-American or runs contrary to U.S. values, authoritarian, un-democratic, that it would reinforce harmful stereotypes; or that it was an “attempt to complete [an] authoritarian takeover,” or establish a dictatorship. Other commenters stated that the IFR disagrees with the American value of free movement; is dangerous; fascist; punitive; inhumane; immoral; or exploitative. A few commenters wrote that only Native Americans are not immigrants to the United States, and that the IFR's policies are hypocritical as a result.

Commenters wrote that the IFR is “cruel” and contradicts the values of welcoming aliens and providing them with safety and freedom, as represented by the Statue of Liberty. Similarly, a few commenters remarked that the United States is a nation of immigrants that should embrace diversity and be more respectful of those immigrants; that the U.S. immigration system should be fair and provide viable paths to legal status, and that the rule does not further those goals. Other commenters said that the United States should not intimidate or demean aliens and that the United States should honor its reputation of accepting aliens in need of protection from persecution, threats, torture, and death from their own country. Stating that the rule imposes an undue burden and creates fear in communities, a commenter said that making criminals out of people who are contributing to society was nonsensical. Discussing efforts in their State, the commenter noted that there can be “calls for border security” while still treating all people with respect and acknowledging the value of immigrants in society.

Several commenters called the registration requirement a violation of human rights. A commenter also said that the IFR would open the door for human rights abuse. Commenters stated that the IFR risks damaging the United States' international reputation as a champion of fairness, human rights, and due process. Another commenter wrote that the IFR aims to “reduce the immigrant to an undesirable person,” which contradicts religious principles, is against Christian values, and prevents individuals from practicing their religious beliefs. Commenters also stated that the IFR raises moral and legal questions and harkens back to dark days in Jewish history.

A commenter stated that the Federal Government, under the previous Presidential administration, repeatedly committed to a humane, trauma-informed immigration policy, particularly for children and families. The commenters said that the IFR contradicts those values and codifies fear-based compliance mechanisms without providing pathways to safety, legal relief, or stability, which was particularly concerning in cities like Chicago, where thousands of asylum seekers are still awaiting work permits, school placements, and basic housing.

Response: DHS disagrees with the characterization of the IFR as overreach, discriminatory, or otherwise contrary to the principles and values of American society, as raised by the commenters. DHS also disagrees with the concerns raised by commenters that equate the registration program with government overreach, mass surveillance, eroding civil liberties, punishment, lack of safeguards, and setting precedents for mass surveillance of U.S. citizens. Congress directed and provided the necessary authority for the registration of aliens, including the content of the registration in sections 262 through 266 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1306. It is Congress that sets the policy and consequences; DHS is directed by Congress and committed to carry out the congressional mandate.

President Trump directed DHS to take all appropriate action to ensure that previously unregistered aliens in the United States comply with their duty to register with the government. DHS identified a gap in the regulatory regime and established a new general registration option so that previously unregistered aliens could comply with the longstanding statutory requirement. As explained throughout this rulemaking, registration has existed for over 80 years; administrations had implemented the registration requirement in the longstanding regulation at 8 CFR 264.1, listing forms and evidence of registration, such as Form I-485. The IFR and this final rule is limited in scope by prescribing an additional registration form and evidence of registration for unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. The general registration form collects basic biographic information and information required by section 264(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(a), which USCIS has a legal responsibility to safeguard, similar to the other form types collected by the agency. See INA sec. 264(b), 8 U.S.C. 1304(b).

Comment: Many commenters criticized the rule as an attempt to entrap aliens by forcing them to either register (causing them to face potential deportation), or face criminal penalties for failing to comply. Another commenter described the rule as “unnecessarily complicated and clearly designed to entrap and ensnare people,” while another described it as a “bad faith `policy' ” meant to confuse immigrants into providing information that would be used to persecute them by illegal or unconstitutional means.

A commenter stated that in media interviews, then-Secretary Noem indicated that the purpose of registration is to facilitate removal of people from the United States, and that those who register would likely face detention, removal proceedings, and eventual deportation. A commenter stated opposition to the IFR and the potential detention of aliens resulting from it, describing conditions in immigration detention centers as potentially deadly and noting reports of medical abuse.

Numerous other commenters stated that the IFR would lead to unjust detentions, the criminalization of aliens' presence in the United States, arbitrary searches and seizures, unjust deportations (including for aliens in the country legally and awaiting court hearings), scapegoating of hardworking ( printed page 39257) immigrants, and punishing people without merit. A commenter expressed concern that the main purpose of the rule is to make it easier for DHS to identify and deport aliens, and stated that following the IFR's logic, similar measures should be applied to U.S. citizens because it would be easier to identify them for arrest should it be deemed necessary. Another commenter stated that coupling the new registration requirement with an E.O. requiring DHS to prioritize prosecuting violations and misdemeanors, rather than serious crimes, highlights that the purpose of this registration is “mass deportation.” A commenter expressed concern that the current administration would weaponize the process against individuals who have no criminal history and no immediate path to legal status under the current law, but are otherwise valued members of society.

A commenter wrote that E.O. 14159, alien registration, and the focus on deportation indicate that the primary aim of the Federal Government in enforcing these provisions is to use the registry as a tool to identify, detain, and deport “undocumented immigrants” or incentivize them to self-deport. Other commenters stated that the IFR fails to meaningfully distinguish between lawfully present aliens and those without status, which they said could lead to the treatment of all aliens as potential enforcement targets, regardless of their legal status or history.

Other comments stated that, unlike programs such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), this registration process offers no benefits, no legal protections, no form of immigration relief, and no shield from deportation, and added that the IFR makes no promises that the data collected through this process would not be used for enforcement purposes. Another commenter stated that past attempts to enforce registration requirements in the interest of national security included explicit assurances that those who complied would be afforded due consideration for immigration relief, and stated that such a requirement without providing opportunities for registrants to pursue legal pathways toward status adjustment undermines our collective commitment to establishing a just, efficient immigration system that prioritizes the wellbeing of long-term residents. The commenter said that rather than incentivizing compliance, this policy punishes those who self-identify.

A commenter indicated that the rule would fail to meet the administration's policy goals of improving registration outcomes because the administration fails to incentivize “undocumented immigrants” to register. Discussing the historical context of the Alien Registration Act of 1940, the commenter wrote that Congress had given then Attorney General Robert H. Jackson the power to relieve registrants of penalties for illegal entry. As a result, and because of the Attorney General's successful public messaging encouraging aliens to register, approximately 5 million aliens registered with the Federal Government by January 1941. In contrast, according to the commenter, this Administration made clear that it plans to use the registration process to advance its immigration enforcement activities, including removal, which fails to incentivize “undocumented immigrants” to register. Similarly, a commenter also indicated that it is the first time the government has required registration as part of a campaign to prioritize the prosecution of immigration offenses and encourage self-removal, rather than providing assurances, unlike in the past, that registration might lead to lawful status or that the alien does not have to fear adverse consequences for registering.

Several commenters expressed concerns that DHS would use the rule to facilitate deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

Response: The goal of the IFR and this final rule is to fill a gap in the regulatory regime by prescribing a general registration form available to all aliens. The IFR did not establish the statutory requirements to register or carry evidence of registration, or establish the criminal penalties established by Congress many decades ago that apply when aliens failed to meet their registration and related obligations.

DHS agrees that the registration is not an immigration status, and the registration documentation does not evidence an immigration status, establish employment authorization, or provide any other right or benefit under the INA or any other U.S. law.

However, the statute provides that most aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted. The statute imposes civil and criminal penalties for failure to comply. The purpose of this rule is to provide a straightforward way for aliens to meet their statutory obligations to register, rather than to provide incentives beyond those already contained in the INA.

As then-Attorney General Robert H. Jackson stated in his address before the Common Council for American Unity, “[t]hese detailed individual records enable the government to deal with any alien problems on the basis of individual merits, and they take away any excuse for indiscriminating dragnet procedures or mass action.” [14] Many aliens who are present in the United States have already fulfilled their duty to register through a variety of pathways identified in 8 CFR 264.1. Each registration Form G-325R will undergo an individual review to determine if the alien has already complied with the registration requirements in some other way and does not need to submit Form G-325R or if the alien is required to appear for a biometric services appointment.

DHS believes that improved registration outcomes will improve DHS law enforcement efficacy by providing more comprehensive information about the location of aliens in the United States, which makes it easier and safer for DHS to enforce the law. The increased compliance with fingerprinting requirements would provide DHS with additional information about an alien's criminal record, including whether the alien is a known or suspected terrorist. DHS does not believe that a nexus between registration and law enforcement efficacy is problematic; Congress specifically provided for the sharing of alien registration information with Federal, State, and local law enforcement, and DHS complies with the laws as duly passed by Congress.[15]

Comment: Commenters opposed the IFR due to financial and administrative burdens on immigrant populations. A commenter stated that registration requirements would challenge immigrants experiencing changes in living situations, particularly those needing to relocate quickly. The commenter noted that change-of-address update requirements could impede immigrants' ability to navigate the court system, while bureaucratic backlogs might incorrectly label mobile immigrants as non-compliant with registration requirements.

A commenter expressed concern about potential financial burdens if DHS implemented processing fees for Form G-325R, especially for individuals submitting multiple registrations due to ( printed page 39258) changing circumstances. These administrative requirements would compound existing challenges immigrants face while managing legal proceedings, education, family responsibilities, and digital barriers. Many commenters suggested that requiring the Form G-325R would add unnecessary bureaucratic and financial burdens, as immigrants already submit extensive documentation.

Response: The IFR and this rule are limited in scope and designate a new registration form for aliens to comply with the statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions. DHS was directed through E.O. 14159 to take all appropriate action to ensure that aliens understand their duty under the law and have a path to satisfy that duty through the new general registration process and form. This rulemaking has not modified the duty established by Congress for aliens to register and be fingerprinted. Similarly, this IFR did not create or modify the criminal penalties established by Congress many decades ago that apply when aliens fail to meet their registration and related obligations, including the requirement to notify DHS of change of address. The law created by Congress requires that aliens who are required to register update their address with the government within 10 days of moving. See INA sec. 265, 8 U.S.C. 1305.

The general registration form collects basic biographic information and information required by section 264(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(a). The form is a digital form that can be easily accessed through an internet browser or a person's cell phone. Additionally, public libraries and other private and public institutions provide access to the internet. The burden assessed for the average hour burden per response for completion of Form G-325R is 2.5 hours. Also, many aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law, and would not need to complete Form G-325R. DHS thus disagrees with the characterization that the rule imposes an undue burden on the public or compounds existing challenges immigrants are facing. If an individual encounters difficulties with registering, DHS recommends contacting the USCIS Contact Center for live assistance.[16]

DHS has determined that it will not impose a biometric services fee for registration applicants as part of this final rule. Section III.F.5 of this preamble provides more details on the determination of the filing fee.

Comment: Commenters said that the additional Form G-325R registration requirement would impose financial burdens on low-income aliens due to legal and application costs or other costs associated with the IFR, such as missing work or school, arranging childcare, and even travel for biometrics appointments, or to obtain specific documentation, which places an undue strain on their limited resources, all of which can make compliance unattainable. A commenter stated that immigration forms frequently require outside assistance to ensure compliant completion, and prospective registrants are likely to seek external support given the penalties for noncompliance.

Response: DHS acknowledges there are burdens to registrants associated with this rule. These costs include, but are not limited to, time burden to submit biometrics, and travel costs to go to an ASC. A more detailed breakdown of the costs associated with this rule is in section VI, the Statutory and Regulatory Requirements section of this preamble.

Comment: A commenter stated that the IFR would endanger communities' mental and physical well-being. Another commenter cited a study finding that restrictive immigration policies and surveillance measures correlate with poorer mental and physical health outcomes among aliens, including heightened anxiety and depression, as well as reduced access to healthcare services. Yet another commenter expressed concern that the IFR would limit their ability to provide medical care to patients due to patients' fear of encountering ICE, and further raised concerns about the health conditions in alien detention facilities, stating that “multiple people” have died in them due to inhumane, unsafe, and unsanitary conditions. A commenter wrote that the increased stress from the IFR to vulnerable populations would lead to higher contact with emergency rooms, mental health agencies, and primary health care providers. A commenter wrote that the additional burden from the IFR on USCIS processing centers could increase stress for aliens waiting for decisions, leading to mental and physical health challenges.

Response: For over 80 years, the laws of the United States have required most aliens present in the United States who remain for 30 days or longer to register and, with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted.

DHS identified a gap in the regulatory regime and established a new general registration option that aliens, who are required to register but have not yet done so, may use to satisfy their statutory obligations. The IFR and this rule are limited in scope by amending DHS regulations to designate a new registration form and evidence of registration for unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status.

Comment: A commenter said that the population of refugees, asylum seekers, visa holders, and permanent residents they serve almost exclusively comprises aliens who have been persecuted in their home countries, adding that a new registration requirement gives them more reason to fear the place they have come to for refuge and protection. Another commenter stated that the rule may cause aliens who are already legally registered using other registration forms to be increasingly fearful and uncertain. Multiple commenters added that the IFR would severely impact lawful immigration.

Some commenters stated that the registration would be used to single out “undocumented” individuals for law enforcement actions. A commenter stated that the “undocumented” community includes hardworking individuals who contribute to the United States but do not see the benefits of their work. The commenter concluded that registration would harm communities and generate fear.

Others indicated that the IFR would negatively impact individuals who contribute richly to our country and pose no threat to U.S. citizens, including DACA recipients and other individuals who arrived in the United States at a young age.

A commenter stated that the organization's members, including “noncitizens” who entered without inspection, are directly impacted by the registration requirements and potential criminal penalties for noncompliance. The commenter expressed concern for members with pending immigration relief applications or deferred action requests (such as U visas or DACA) who have completed biometrics appointments but lack EADs that would qualify as valid registration. The commenter said it had helped submit numerous DACA applications in 2020 to 2021 that were never adjudicated due to a court order.

A commenter wrote that the IFR would target and disproportionately affect long-term U.S. residents awaiting ( printed page 39259) immigration relief or humanitarian protections. A commenter questioned the rationale behind DHS's decision, suggesting that it creates an additional procedural hurdle for vulnerable populations who have likely already submitted their biometric data to the government. Another commenter expressed concern that registration often leads to negative outcomes, such as surveillance, segregation, and incrimination. The commenter remarked that identifying a group as separate from the rest can have serious consequences, regardless of the original intentions.

Response: The IFR and this rule are limited in scope to establish a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status to improve registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens. An alien who has been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b) has already registered, and an alien who has submitted one of the forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and provided fingerprints (unless waived), but was not issued one of the evidence of registration designated at 8 CFR 264.1(b), has complied with the registration requirement of section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. If an alien does not have any other pathway to register and to be fingerprinted, the alien may file the Form G-325R to comply with their duty under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. Aliens who are registered and reached 14 years old may use the new form to register if they have no other pathway to satisfy this requirement.

DHS is aware that there are areas of the existing regulations that could be improved, including amending the list of forms prescribed as registration forms in 8 CFR 264.1(a) and the list of forms constituted as evidence of registration in 8 CFR 264.1(b). As part of this final rule, DHS is requesting comments on various ways to amend the DHS regulation to improve implementation of the registration requirement under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. See section V of this preamble.

Comment: Many commenters state that the IFR would harm children and families. Several commenters indicated that the IFR could deter families from enrolling children in school, from seeking medical care, or from reporting crimes. Speaking to the impact on children's education, a commenter stated that the registration system could lead to a risk of punishment and parents may be hesitant to register themselves or their children out of fear the information could be used to initiate removal proceedings. They concluded that this undermines the trust necessary not only to cooperate with local law enforcement to reduce crime, but for educators, social workers, and healthcare partners to serve these families effectively.

Several other commenters remarked that the IFR does not contain safeguards for families and stated that the IFR could lead to the deportation of parents or caregivers, and leading to family separation, including for mixed-status families. A commenter criticized USCIS' assumption that potential registrants would understand they need to register and described immigrants as “targets for family separation, detention, or deportation.”

A commenter voiced concern that the IFR would create burdens for those families with minor children who lack access to stable housing, legal counsel, digital literacy, or reliable internet and potentially facing criminal penalties if not successful at registering.

Another commenter stated that the IFR fails to consider the significant impact on its application of expedited removal to parolees would have on families and communities, adding that subjecting them to removal without appropriate procedural protections could result in severe social and economic consequences for these individuals and their families. With regard to the economy, commenters wrote that many “mixed-status” families would be harmed, despite having significantly contributed to the economy.

A commenter wrote that some immigrant families are already in the midst of pursuing lawful immigration relief and that the IFR could introduce confusion and risk of unintentional noncompliance into that process. Another commenter stated the rule would cause immigrant families to withdraw from everyday life for fear of criminalization, leading to negative impacts on local communities, economies, and public safety.

Numerous commenters stated that the trauma of fear of deportation and family separation resulting from the IFR and from registration leads to long-term emotional, developmental, health (including heart disease, diabetes, substance abuse, and depression), and educational harm for children. Another commenter wrote that the IFR would impact hardworking families, taxpayers, and individuals who speak and write in English, and would harm the mental health of alien children, leading some to consider taking their own lives. Another commenter wrote that the administration is using immigrants, regardless of status, and children whose parents arrived to the United States “undocumented,” as “pawns” in a “power struggle.” Another commenter stated that IFR would make children who are victims of trafficking and abuse less likely to come forward and report their experiences to law enforcement.

Response: DHS has an obligation to faithfully execute the laws established by Congress, including provisions related to the alien registration requirements. See INA sec. 103(a), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a).

President Trump directed DHS to take all appropriate steps to ensure that previously unregistered aliens in the United States comply with the statutory duty to register with the government. DHS identified a gap in the regulatory regime and established a new general registration option to improve registration outcomes of certain groups of aliens. The IFR and this rule are limited in scope to establishing the new registration form and evidence of registration for unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. This rulemaking has not created these requirements or modified the duties established by Congress for aliens.

DHS notes that the statute requires, with limited exceptions, all aliens 14 years or older who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of 30 days. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered. Within 30 days of an alien reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered alien must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted.

Before the IFR, longstanding regulations already provided that within 30 days after reaching the age of 14, any alien in the United States who is not exempt from the alien registration requirement must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted, unless fingerprinting is waived. The IFR and this rule do not change those procedures but fill a gap in the regulation by adding a general option available to unregistered alien, regardless of status to improve registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens. Also, many aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law. An alien who was issued an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa and at his or her most recent arrival was admitted into the United States using that visa is registered. See INA sec. 221(b), 8 U.S.C. 1201(b). This includes aliens admitted ( printed page 39260) as nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. Id.

For these reasons and the reasons articulated in previous responses, DHS does not believe that the IFR or this rule, particularly when viewed separate and apart from the alien registration requirements of the INA, creates a burden for families and children or otherwise leads to a negative impact on families, local communities and public safety.

Comment: Numerous commenters expressed opposition to the IFR's application to minors and children. Several commenters urged DHS to rescind or abandon the IFR on the basis of potential impacts to minors subject to the registration requirements.

A commenter stated that many children affected by the IFR have experienced trauma, such as threats of harm or death, abuse, or neglect, and that trauma-related challenges can further impair their ability to comply with the numerous and complex requirements of the IFR.

A commenter wrote that young people are often particularly fearful of procedures such as fingerprinting due to trauma they experienced in their home countries. The commenter said that if they are navigating the immigration legal system with specially trained legal advice and support, they are able to overcome such fears as part of the process of being scrutinized for lawful status in the United States but added that many of these children are set to lose representation due to funding cuts and thus are not able to successfully navigate the legal process as they will lack the help to understand the purpose and relative safety of such procedures. A commenter wrote that the information required for registration may be either unavailable or incomprehensible to children, including unaccompanied children and especially those in Federal Government custody. The commenter said that especially for children who have faced significant trauma, best practice indicates that they be provided special consideration and trauma-informed care, not an expectation to comply with the same requirements as adults for processes that potentially implicate criminal liability.

Expressing concerns about the IFR's requirement for children between the ages of 14 and 18 to submit to registration, fingerprinting, and background checks, a commenter stated that these registration's invasive requirements failed to account for evolving understanding of childhood vulnerabilities since the underlying law was written. The commenter noted the increased exploitation of vulnerable migrants, particularly minors, under a universal registration requirement, because on account of fraudsters and scammers, including those impersonating Federal agents. The commenter urged DHS to reconsider registration requirements to preserve civil rights and public safety protections for minors. Similarly, a commenter expressed concern for children between the ages of 12 and 18 who may not have a license being targeted for their skin color or lack of English language skills, and the commenter therefore opposed the requirement to carry ID or registration cards.

Similarly, commenters expressed concern about the impact of the registration requirements on children and youth. A commenter stated that the criminal penalties contemplated also extend to children between the ages of 14-18, placing them at particular risk of profiling and criminalization, noting that a 1940-era statute does not account for the decades of improvement that have been made regarding the criminal prosecution of juveniles.

Other commenters stated that the IFR makes no exceptions for the severe consequences of not registering, treating youth the same as adults. One commenter stated that with the return of family detention, youth could potentially be held with their parents or alone, facing possible deportation to countries where their safety and well-being may be compromised. The commenter cited the American Academy of Pediatrics' position that “no amount of time in detention is safe for a child” and referenced a DHS advisory committee report concluding that “detention is generally neither appropriate nor necessary for families” and is “never in the best interest of children.”

Another commenter stated that if children's sponsors and family members are criminally prosecuted for failing to register or not having proof of registration on their person, children would remain detained even longer awaiting reunification and release, and many would be left without anyone to house and care for them.

Another commenter expressed concern that the rule's requirement to carry registration documentation could be used as a pretext for law enforcement actions against children and families. The commenter stated this could lead to racial profiling of people who may appear “foreign” to law enforcement officials, a practice the commenter described as disproportionately harming “Black and Brown” youth and their families, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. The commenter said that failure to register or carry documentation essentially criminalizes youth by default and creates additional distrust of law enforcement, making it less likely that young people and families report crimes or seek assistance from law enforcement. The commenter suggested this could particularly impact unaccompanied youth who are at higher risk for child labor exploitation and other types of abuse, as they may be more reluctant to seek help. Another commenter stated that the IFR would harm children subjected to profiling based on skin color or perceived nation of origin, and children who are victims of trafficking or other crimes.

Response: The statute requires, with limited exceptions, all aliens 14 years or older who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of 30 days. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered. Within 30 days of an alien reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted. The statute further requires aliens 18 years or older in the United States who are required to register must at all times carry with them and have in their personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to them. DHS, with the IFR and final rule, has not created these requirements or modified the duties established by Congress for aliens.

Longstanding regulations before this IFR already provided that, within 30 days after reaching the age of 14, any alien in the United States who is not exempt from the alien registration requirement must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted, unless fingerprinting is waived. The IFR and final rule do not change those procedures but fill a gap in the regulatory regime by prescribing a general registration option available to all aliens regardless of their status and corresponding evidence as proof of that registration.

The comments regarding the enforcement of the criminal provisions are out of scope of this rulemaking. This rulemaking does not set civil immigration or criminal enforcement policies or priorities. Children under 14 years of age face no criminal penalties for a willful failure or refusal to register. See INA sec. 266(a), 8 U.S.C. 1306(a).

Comment: Comments said that the IFR would also disproportionately harm children with disabilities, youth with certain mental health, developmental or cognitive disabilities, and those with ( printed page 39261) limited English proficiency, adding that youth with certain mental health, developmental or cognitive disabilities may face challenges in being able to comprehend that the registration requirement applies to them, complete the requirements, or understand that they need to carry proof of registration with them at all times. Another commenter said that youth who are unable to speak or read English may also face significant challenges, especially since unaccompanied youth come from all around the globe, many of whom speak indigenous languages and other uncommon languages and often lack access to interpretation assistance. Another comment stated that faced with law enforcement interactions, youth with certain mental health, developmental, or cognitive disabilities are at higher risk of worse outcomes, such as arrest, detention, or even physical harm.

Commenters also stated that children with limited technology access or who otherwise need support to comply with the requirement may seek guidance from teachers and other school personnel, adding burdens to the education system.

Another commenter said that the registration requirement would prejudice children in living situations where they may not have access to their immigration paperwork or have not had the opportunity to speak to a lawyer. The commenter added that children may not have an adult who understands English, let alone the complex nature of the form required for registration.

Response: The statute provides that, with limited exceptions, all aliens 14 years or older who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of 30 days. See INA sec. 262, 8 U.S.C. 1302. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered. Within 30 days of an alien reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted. See INA sec. 262(b), 8 U.S.C. 1302(b). DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not changed the requirements established by Congress for aliens. The IFR and this rule are limited in scope, designating a new registration form for aliens to comply with the statutory registration and fingerprinting requirements.

DHS acknowledges the challenges that children may encounter, in particular children with disabilities, mental health difficulties, limited English proficiency, or based on socio-economic situation. These difficulties apply generally to any statutorily imposed obligations codified by Congress, and the longstanding alien registration requirement does not distinguish itself in this manner. To address concerns about disability and access issues, DHS provides various accommodations, in accordance with current laws. DHS and USCIS electronic and information technology (IT) systems meet and in some respects may exceed the requirement of section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d) and related guidance. DHS and USCIS are committed to making the public information and data accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities in a manner that is comparable with individuals who do not have disabilities. USCIS provides accommodations consistent with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.[17]

USCIS also established a dedicated website with information on the Alien Registration Requirement (ARR) and an ARR Tool that help aliens determine if they must register.[18] The tool poses a series of questions to aliens and based on an alien's responses, may help an alien determine if they must register.

Comment: A commenter expressed concern that the IFR creates a financial burden on unaccompanied children who typically lack independent income sources. The commenter stated that children might feel compelled to work to comply with the IFR, though many cannot, due to lack of work authorization or school attendance. The commenter identified several costs that would burden children, including application fees, technology access, transportation to biometrics appointments, document costs, fingerprinting fees, interpretation services, and legal consultation expenses. The commenter concluded that these financial barriers would prevent many children from complying with the requirements, potentially subjecting them to criminal liability.

Response: The statute requires, with limited exceptions, that all aliens 14 years or older who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of 30 days. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered. Within 30 days of an alien reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted.

DHS, with the IFR and final rule, has not modified the duties established by Congress for aliens. Before the IFR, regulations already provided that within 30 days after reaching the age of 14, any alien in the United States who is not exempt from the alien registration requirement must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted, unless fingerprinting is waived. The IFR and final rule do not change those procedures but fills a gap in the regulation by adding an option for aliens to comply with the existing statutory registration requirements. DHS notes that some unaccompanied alien children will already be registered by virtue of having been placed in removal proceedings via the Form I-862, Notice to Appear.

Comment: Commenters stated that the IFR would disproportionately harm people with disabilities. Similarly, commenters stated that individuals with mental, developmental, or health-related disabilities may be unable to reliably carry documentation as described in the IFR. The commenter wrote that without available assistance from family members or others, these individuals would face increased risk of law enforcement actions, incarceration, and removal from the United States without meaningful due process.

Similarly, commenters stated that the IFR would deter sponsors and family members from providing support for Non-Qualified Respondent Program participants with mental disabilities. The commenter noted that immigration judges often require individuals with mental disabilities to be released into family members' care during bond hearings, ensuring their participation in legal proceedings. According to the commenter, the IFR would discourage family members from acting as sponsors due to concerns about potential consequences if the respondent fails to register. The commenter said this would prolong detention of individuals with mental disabilities, who may lose their support system and be unable to meaningfully participate in immigration proceedings.

Similarly, commenters stated that people with disabilities would not have meaningful access to the registration process for several reasons. The commenters wrote that people with certain mental health, developmental, or cognitive disabilities may be unable to determine if the registration requirement applies to them. The commenters stated that additionally, ( printed page 39262) registration requires access to the internet, a computer or smartphone, and an email address, which may be difficult or impossible for people with various disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision, those with mobility issues affecting manual dexterity or ability to navigate technology, and those with intellectual or cognitive disabilities. Commenters added that the registration process also requires cognitive capacity to follow a multi-step process for creating an account and registering for myUSCIS, including a two-factor authentication process. Finally, a commenter said that registrants must have the cognitive capacity to answer a long list of questions with minimal instructions or risk civil and criminal penalties.

A commenter said that expecting individuals with disabilities to comply with the registration requirement would place “an unrealistic and significant burden on them,” reasoning that clients with health needs living in the community are frequently without stable housing. Specifically, the commenter noted that as these individuals move from one transitional housing situation to another, papers are frequently lost, and, often, possessions are stolen.

Response: DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not changed the requirements established by Congress for aliens. The IFR and this rule are limited in scope, designating a new registration form for aliens to comply with the statutory registration and fingerprinting requirements.

Most aliens in the United States already complied with the registration requirement prior to the publication of the IFR. For many decades, these aliens have satisfied the requirement through a variety of pathways. However, the IFR and this final rule fills a gap in the regulatory regime by prescribing a general registration option available to all aliens regardless of their status and corresponding evidence as proof of that registration. DHS believes that this new option may improve registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens.

DHS and USCIS are committed to making electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities. The myUSCIS site and its technology are designed to ensure individuals with disabilities can access and use information and data in a way that is comparable to those without disabilities.

The Form G-325R complies with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act; additionally, USCIS provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.[19] As part of the accommodation, we encourage individuals to reach out to the USCIS Contact Center if they require help with alien registration.

DHS notes that this rulemaking has not changed the requirement that all aliens 18 years or older in the United States who are required to register must at all times carry with them and have in their personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to them. These are statutory requirements under section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e).

Comment: Commenters stated that the IFR undermines and threatens the safety of victims of human trafficking and domestic and sexual violence, and law enforcement depends on community cooperation to maintain public safety, which becomes difficult when crime victims are afraid to report crimes or speak to police. A commenter emphasized that immigrant women, particularly those who are “undocumented,” are extremely vulnerable to domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. The commenter explained that these victims face significant barriers to seeking safety because perpetrators, often U.S. citizens, exploit the victims' immigration status to control them and threaten escalated violence if they seek help. The commenter reasoned that the expanded registration requirements in the IFR create an unnecessary climate of fear in immigrant communities that undermines public safety, as crime victims would avoid contacting police due to fears of penalties, detention, or deportation. The commenter stated that the IFR effectively renders current Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) legal protections for immigrant victims of human trafficking and domestic/sexual violence meaningless. The commenter wrote that the IFR puts immigrant victims with pending applications for protection and those already working with government authorities at immediate risk for deportation or criminal prosecution, removing incentives for immigrant victims of violent crime to seek help. The commenter further noted that the new registration process creates an additional tool for abusive partners to harm victims by establishing what they described as an impossible barrier to safety for immigrant survivors.

A commenter stated that the IFR would cause people to be targeted by ICE before they have had a chance to get trustworthy legal advice, including individuals who have survived human trafficking, and adolescents and young children who have been granted specialized status due to their victimization. The commenter wrote that the IFR would retraumatize these groups by arresting them and forcing them to show documentation. A commenter said that the IFR introduces new requirements that would deter survivors from coming forward, increase the risk of re-traumatization, and make it easier for abusers and perpetrators to maintain control over their victims. A commenter raised specific concerns regarding the impact on survivors of abuse who have received or are seeking humanitarian protection through VAWA, T, or U visas.

A union said that the IFR will chill reporting of serious workplace violations and harm “applicants” for U and T nonimmigrant status, in violation of congressional intent of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA). The commenter elaborated, discussing various implications of the IFR for U and T visa applicants that the commenter said DHS did not consider. The commenter remarked on unnecessary and unjustified paperwork burdens, a lack of clarity around privacy protections, and “bad policy” set forth in the IFR that undoes the victim and witness protection scheme set forth in the VTVPA, triggering adverse immigration consequences, “intolerable” abuses against individual alien workers, and harms to all U.S. workers.

A commenter expressed concern about the IFR's lack of privacy and confidentiality protections associated with the registration requirement. According to the commenter, this deficiency could enable abusers to leverage survivors' fears to prevent their access to the immigration system. Multiple commenters remarked that abusers might manipulate, control, coerce, and intimidate survivors by interfering with the registration process, preventing access to necessary technology, obstructing biometrics appointments, or hindering access to legal assistance. The commenter reported that their organization has observed clients struggling to determine whether they need to register and experiencing fear and hesitancy around the registration process.

A few commenters similarly described the existing barriers survivors ( printed page 39263) experience while submitting requests for immigration benefits, such as: language access; the length and complexity of the forms; ability to gather the necessary documents and evidence to support their claims; and geographical barriers to accessing government offices and legal, community, and financial services. The commenters suggested that the IFR would exacerbate the barriers, fear, and confusion this population already faces. Another commenter added that the broad scope and lack of clear delineation regarding who must register may inadvertently create opportunities for fraudulent actors to exploit vulnerable populations. The commenter stated that despite DHS's ongoing initiatives to combat immigration services scams, in the absence of explicit guidance, individuals may fall prey to scams promising assistance with the registration process, leading to financial loss and further misinformation.

Multiple commenters remarked that domestic or sexual violence perpetrators could manipulate the registration process by erroneously registering survivors or interfering with a survivor's ability to complete registration, including attending biometrics appointments, thus exposing them to criminalization and enforcement. Other commenters noted that abusers might also prevent survivors from carrying proof of registration, exposing them to enforcement under section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e). A commenter recommended that any registration process provide flexibility for survivors to correct inconsistencies and consider how victimization may impact compliance before conducting enforcement actions based on section 264(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1306(a).

A commenter noted that immigration-related abuse is a common tactic used by abusers and perpetrators of crime to maintain power and control over victims, citing the National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence's “Immigrant Power and Control Wheel.” The commenter explained that survivors often depend on abusive partners or employers for their immigration status, housing, transportation, income, and access to technology, creating dependencies that abusers intentionally maintain to isolate and control survivors. The commenter stated that these vulnerabilities are compounded in today's digital environment, citing research indicating that 80 percent of stalking victims report being stalked using technology, with over one-third targeted by current or former intimate partners. The commenter said that phones, apps, and digital tools have become weapons for monitoring, harassing, and interfering with survivors' efforts to escape or seek help. The commenter reasoned that the IFR's registration requirements could be manipulated by abusers who might block internet access, withhold necessary documents, prevent survivors from attending biometrics appointments, or deliberately mislead survivors about compliance requirements, causing them to unknowingly fall out of compliance. The commenter wrote that without survivor-specific safeguards, the registration process could become another tool of coercion, placing survivors at further risk of removal or harm. The commenter recommended that if DHS does not rescind the IFR, it should include clear provisions allowing survivors to correct abuser-generated inconsistencies, explain delays or gaps, and avoid penalties for noncompliance resulting from abuse. The commenter emphasized that no survivor should face immigration consequences because of coercion, fear, or manipulation by someone who has already caused them harm.

A commenter also stated that the requirement to possess proof of registration at all times would disproportionately harm survivors of violence who may be fleeing abuse or whose abusers control their documentation as a means of maintaining power and control. The commenter urged DHS to consider factors such as emergencies, victimization, and health conditions in its enforcement actions related to 8 U.S.C. 1304(e).

Response: DHS notes the IFR and this rule have not changed the registration requirements established by Congress. This rulemaking establishes a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status to improve registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens.

The INA requires that, with limited exceptions, most aliens in the United States who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting. Prior to the IFR, most aliens already complied with the registration requirements, however, the IFR and this final rule fill a gap in the regulatory regime by prescribing a registration form for unregistered aliens.

The IFR and this final rule have not changed any current procedures or processes related to aliens who are eligible for and recipients of victim-based immigration relief (specifically, VAWA self-petitioners as well as applicants and petitioners for, and recipients of, T and U nonimmigrant status). Also, the IFR and this final rule have not changed the procedures or practices of DHS agencies to protect against the unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information that it collects, uses, or maintains.

DHS notes that if a registered alien does not have immediate possession of his or her evidence of registration, DHS agencies have access to DHS databases to confirm whether an alien satisfies the registration requirement.

DHS recognizes that the immigration processes can be complex and that requestors, including registrants, may still be at risk of becoming victims of scams or fraud. DHS encourages requestors to use the information on the USCIS website to avoid becoming victims of common scams, fraud, and misconduct.[20]

Comment: Several commenters stated that individuals with limited English proficiency or limited access to technology or financial access barriers would be exposed to punitive ramifications due to inability to file the Form G-325R electronically. Another commenter also said that the IFR makes no mention of its impact on “noncitizens” with limited English proficiency or other language barriers, and noted that the IFR does not account for any translation of the registration forms or instructions.

One of the commenters voiced concern that those with limited English proficiency might inadvertently register when not required to do so, potentially triggering erroneous immigration enforcement actions. Other commenters stated that the rule fails to mention its impact on “noncitizens” with limited English proficiency or other language barriers, nor does it account for any translation of Form G-325R or the rule itself.

Response: DHS notes that this rulemaking has not changed the requirement that all aliens 18 years or older in the United States who are required to register must at all times carry with them and have in their personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to them. These are statutory requirements under section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e). In addition, this rulemaking does impose ( printed page 39264) any new registration or fingerprinting obligations separate from the obligations already contained in the INA.

DHS acknowledges there are costs to registrants associated with the statutory requirements to register. These costs include, but are not limited to, time burden to submit biometrics, and travel costs to go to an ASC. As a result of comments received, a more detailed breakdown of the costs associated with this rule is in section VI, the Statutory and Regulatory Requirements section of this preamble.

USCIS also established a dedicated website with information on the ARR and an ARR Tool that may help aliens determine whether they must register.[21] DHS also notes Form G-325R is a digital form that can be easily accessed through an internet browser or a person's cell phone. Additionally, public libraries and other private and public institutions can provide access to the internet.

DHS notes that USCIS' immigration forms are offered and must be submitted in English.[22] USCIS also provides a PDF copy of Form G-325R for aliens to access before completing the form.[23] An alien may also use the assistance of an interpreter for reading the instructions and questions on the new registration form. If the alien uses an interpreter, he or she must provide the contact information of that interpreter and upload the interpreter's certification and signature when applying for registration.

Comment: Commenters stated that as providers of comprehensive legal services to refugees and displaced persons, the IFR would adversely impact their client communities as well as stretch their resources, hindering their mission to expand access to protection, lasting safety, and due process for aliens and displaced persons. Another commenter stated that confusion surrounding the IFR would cause them to expend more resources to investigate which of their clients would require registration. A commenter remarked that their organization has been receiving numerous inquiries from community members asking whether they need to register or not, creating a strain on their resources that could be better utilized helping people to apply for immigration relief.

A commenter said that they would need to screen every individual they encounter, potentially changing intake processes, risk assessment, advisal, and training to determine registration applicability for clients and their family members. The commenter noted that providing competent legal advice would require assessing the IFR's constitutional implications, necessitating expert review and supervision for each case. The commenter remarked that these changes would require additional staff hours, diverting resources from serving more clients. The commenter anticipated clients facing fines and criminal penalties that would require legal advice and rapid response review. Additionally, the commenter expressed concern about potential “notario” misrepresentation and abuse, which could defraud individuals acting under faulty registration advice. The commenter concluded this would significantly reduce their capacity to provide services and pursue permanent relief for immigrants and asylum seekers they would normally serve. A commenter said that since providers are overwhelmed across the country due to funding cuts and increased demand for services, it is unlikely that they and other nonprofit organizations would have capacity to assist with registration under the rule, which is needed for many aliens with limited English proficiency, raising a host of fairness concerns.

A commenter similarly wrote that the IFR places heavy administrative, time, and financial burdens on organizations serving immigrants, as they must educate community members and help navigate complex compliance requirements. The commenter described determining registration eligibility as “extremely time-consuming” and difficult for individuals who may lack necessary records. The commenter contextualized the IFR within numerous other immigration policy changes, citing alleged confusion created by actions revoking certain grants of parole. The commenter stated that proper notice is impossible if the Administration changes status determinations in real time without resolving ambiguities, concluding that the IFR's requirements could change without due consideration of impacts on immigrant communities and supporting organizations.

A commenter voiced concern that the IFR would be burdensome and limit their ability to fulfill their mission of serving alien communities in New York. The commenter expressed that there is widespread confusion about the rule among immigrant communities, stating that individuals with various immigration statuses have raised questions about the rule's applicability to their particular situations. The commenter indicated that the complexity and rapid implementation of the IFR have created vulnerability to misinformation. According to the commenter, addressing this confusion requires extensive one-on-one consultation with their members, which exceeds their organization's capacity. The commenter stated that their legal team's experience has demonstrated both the complexity of determining registration requirements and the significant barriers to understanding and complying with the rule. The commenter explained, for instance, that determining whether an alien has previously registered requires knowing whether the alien has filed a Form I-485 or Form I-765 and knowing the outcome of such application. The commenter further noted that clients could reasonably be confused about whether they had registered if the client had previously submitted extensive documentation to USCIS that does not qualify as registration under the regulations. The commenter said that for some aliens, the only way to verify their registration status and obtain the documents they must now carry by law would be through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request—which is a multi-step process that can take months, consumes their organization's staff time, and requires maintaining contact. Other commenters also remarked that the IFR would lead to an increase in FOIA requests due to a lack of clarity about who is required to complete the new registration process and would place burdens on immigration attorneys to file FOIA requests.

A commenter stated that the IFR's complexity and inconsistency pose significant challenges to their staff, who cannot confidently advise members on registration requirements in group settings such as committee meetings and workshops that often include dozens of attendees. According to the commenter, the confusing nature of the registration requirement, coupled with its nearly universal impact, undermines their model of providing community education and know-your-rights presentations. The commenter stated ( printed page 39265) that with tens of thousands of members, their legal team lacks the capacity to provide individual advice to all potentially affected individuals. A commenter stated that the rule's unclear requirements and lack of a concerted rollout or public education on the part of USCIS impose tremendous burdens on its organization and its members. The commenter said this also creates an environment ripe for fraud.

A commenter said that it would be forced to prioritize helping clients obtain registration documents quickly to avoid enforcement actions, adding that its staff would have to devote more time and resources abiding by such a rule, which would divert capacity to assist with other vital legal services and pathways to relief.

A commenter wrote that Michigan professionals who serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence would be “left in the lurch” about what could happen to survivors when they register, adding that without being able to safely provide guidance and avoid unauthorized practice of law, such advocates would struggle to support their clients to stay safe and to keep their children safe. The commenter also stated that Michigan police officers would struggle to secure supportive witnesses in their investigations because survivors would be so fearful of removal that they would not come forward.

A commenter voiced concern about the IFR's impact on organizations like themselves, stating that their organization has already experienced a significant increase in requests for information, legal advice, and assistance from existing clients regarding the IFR's registration and proof requirements. Additionally, the commenter reported increased inquiries and concerns from the broader community, which has interfered with their core function of providing immigration legal services. The commenter explained that the complexity and “inconsistencies” of the rule, coupled with its nearly universal impact, mean that even existing clients who may be considered “registered” would need legal advice to confidently make that determination. The commenter added that this is particularly true for clients with pending applications or those in mixed-status households where there is greater ambiguity about who needs to comply with the process. The commenter raised concerns about the IFR's impact on their organization's funding and operations. The commenter explained that they receive a significant portion of their funding from grants and contracts that require specific deliverables of immigration legal services, with some contracts paid on a “per case” basis and others paid in cycles based on reporting requirements. The commenter said that advising and assisting existing clients and community members around the new rule would not qualify under these grants as deliverables, since those grants fund other specific services. The commenter warned that failure to comply with current grant metrics and reporting requirements due to the diversion of resources to address the IFR may result in the loss of remaining funds under those grants. The commenter expressed concern that this could jeopardize the organization's ability to apply for future grants, potentially leading to staff layoffs and other cost-cutting measures, ultimately reducing their ability to assist existing and future clients.

A commenter wrote that the immigrant registration requirement would present a conflict of interest for their organization and the defense attorneys they work with because it would force attorneys to advise “noncitizens” to comply with a law that likely violates the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The commenter further said that since failure to register can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, it would be more difficult to accurately advise on the risks and benefits of criminal case dispositions and would complicate plea negotiations. Another commenter said that the IFR creates moral issues for attorneys, who are not going to want to advise their clients not to register because of the associated legal obligations.

Response: DHS understands that organizations may experience an increase in inquiries from client communities, or an expansion of an organization's services to include additional assistance about the alien registration requirement. However, this is often the case with new processes and is not unique to this IFR. DHS disagrees with the characterization that the IFR and alien registration presents legal organizations and defense attorneys with a conflict of interest or moral issues. Legal services providers would presumably advise their clients about the directives of section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, as they would any other legal obligation.

DHS also notes that the IFR and this final rule have not changed the registration requirements and related obligations established by Congress many decades ago. The statute requires that, with limited exceptions, all aliens 14 years or older who were not registered and fingerprinted, if required, who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting. These rulemakings fill a gap in DHS's regulatory regime by establishing a general registration option available to all aliens, regardless of status. DHS believes that this option may improve registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens.

USCIS also established a dedicated website with information on the ARR and an ARR Tool that may help aliens determine whether they must register.[24]

As part of this rulemaking, DHS is also requesting comments on proposed amendments to prescribe certain existing forms with information collection and thorough biometric-based screening and vetting for use by aliens to improve registration outcomes for certain populations of aliens while increasing efficiency and reducing burden for the public and the government. See Section V.A of this preamble.

Comment: Many commenters said that the IFR fails to provide sufficient evidence demonstrating that the current system is inadequately enforced or that the proposed rule would provide a benefit for enforcement effectiveness or efficiency, public safety, or national security. Multiple other commenters described the rule as unnecessary, highly costly, and ineffective, with several commenters calling for its rescission. A commenter expressed concern that the IFR does not meaningfully distinguish between different immigration statuses, which could lead to confusion and duplicated registrations. A couple of commenters warned that similar registration policies were used during World War II and “consistently failed to enhance security.” A commenter described the IFR as “addressing a problem that does not exist.” A different commenter reasoned that perpetrators of serious crimes would not be likely to follow the registration requirement, writing that the similar NSEERS registration requirement imposed after September 11th was not productive and that there was no evidence of any terrorist identified through the program. Similarly, a commenter wrote that sweeping registries “don't make us safer.” The commenter stated that after September 11, 2001, a similar program ( printed page 39266) (NSEERS) targeted Muslim immigrants and failed to produce a single terrorism conviction—while causing lasting harm. They added that true safety comes from trust and smart, targeted policies—not from a fear-based overreach. Another commenter expressed concern that the rule would consume vast amounts of resources for data likely to be of poor quality.

A commenter said that the rule would press immigration authorities to detain more individuals based on the perception of noncompliance, including U.S. citizens, undermining public safety and wasting enforcement resources that should target legitimate security threats. The commenter articulated that the rule lacks evidence to justify the costs to benefit public safety, citing studies indicating that past uses of this section of immigration law do not provide such evidence. Some commenter said the rule would apply more resources to immigration enforcement by flooding courts with low-level administrative cases, which would divert resources away from prosecuting crimes against public safety, such as felonies and other serious crimes and limit agency resources on border enforcement, fraud prevention, and asylum adjudication. Another commenter said the rule's effects would be compounded for immigration enforcement officers in the field, who would be required to spend disproportionate time seeking out and reviewing registration documents rather than focusing on priority enforcement tasks, with consequences for national security and overall public safety.

A few commenters similarly wrote that it is unclear how the rule would significantly improve national security or law enforcement efficacy beyond existing measures. One of these commenters discussed the existing measures at both the State and Federal level to verify employment, driver's licenses, and legal status and cited research from the Migration Policy Institute to demonstrate that measures such as E-Verify and REAL ID are sufficient. A commenter stated that DHS already possesses registration and biometric data for most individuals it interacts with, and the background checks associated with the G-325R form replicate checks already done through visa, asylum, TPS, and employment authorization applications. The commenter stated that, rather than improving DHS's ability to identify threats, the rule may hamper enforcement by overloading systems with redundant data and discouraging cooperation from immigrant communities who fear retaliation for attempted compliance. A commenter similarly said that existing processes and systems already track individuals who interact with immigration agencies and there is no indication that current tracking mechanisms have left DHS unable to identify or apprehend individuals who pose real public safety or national security risks, making this “sweeping expansion” both unnecessary and inefficient. Similarly, another commenter urged the Department to focus on improving existing systems rather than creating unnecessary administrative complexities, while a different commenter described the registry requirement as an “unnecessary overhaul” of the immigration system.

One commenter expressed concern that the IFR would be impossible to enforce. Another commenter recommended that DHS ensure the proposed registration would not automatically trigger enforcement actions.

Response: The IFR and final rule do not change current procedures but fill a gap in the regulatory regime by prescribing a general registration option available to all aliens regardless of their status and corresponding evidence as proof of that registration. The rule is expected to improve DHS law enforcement efficacy by providing more comprehensive information about the location of aliens in the United States to make it easier and safer for DHS to enforce the law. The increased compliance with fingerprinting requirements provides DHS with additional information about an alien's criminal record, including whether an alien is a known or suspected terrorist. DHS also notes that most aliens lawfully present in the United States are likely already registered. Finally, DHS notes that even if this rulemaking lacked a clear net positive effect on law enforcement efficacy, DHS would pursue this rulemaking consistent with DHS's duty to faithfully implement the alien registration requirements of the INA and the President's direction in E.O. 14159.

Comment: Many commenters expressed concern regarding increased DHS costs arising from the IFR and described it as misallocation of government resources. For example, some commenters opposed the use of tax dollars to fund the policing and deportation of individuals fleeing conditions they attributed to U.S. foreign policy. Another commenter recommended against using resources to fund policing practices they viewed as invasive. A couple of commenters wrote that government resources should be directed toward ensuring basic human needs.

A commenter stated that the rule would create an expensive, bloated bureaucracy in an effort to criminalize neighbors if they fall behind on their paperwork and constitutes a waste of resources given that the government already has all the information it needs.

A commenter stated that DHS would need to create a whole new system to keep track of these registrations, creating an undue burden. A commenter stated that, as currently written, any LPR who takes even a 1-hour trip to Mexico could be subject to having to tender their Green Card upon each re-entry and be re-fingerprinted, leading to an “absurd result” and waste of time and resources.

One commenter wrote that it would not be an efficient use of resources to institute this registration process, describing it as “unrelated to the general welfare of Americans nor to the provision of the benefits USCIS already administers.”

Other commenters said the rule's criminal penalties for failing to comply with registration requirements would create a high cost for civil and criminal law enforcement. Describing the difficulty authorities faced in effectively carrying out the NSEERS program and its financial costs, a commenter wrote that this history and the lack of a clear and manageable method of implementing the various aspects of the program should be informative to the IFR and its potential financial implications, as the impending registration requirement would require multiple agencies and authorities to troubleshoot the various aspects of the program. Some commenters wrote that the IFR would lead to more litigation and abuse, with an individual commenter expressing concern about “legal fees” DHS might incur and become a “waste of taxpayer money.”

Response: With this IFR and final rule, as always, DHS strives to be fair and efficiently execute the laws established by Congress. This rulemaking addresses a gap in the existing regulatory regime and ensures that there is a way for all aliens, regardless of their immigration status, to comply with their duty under the law and to improve overall registration outcomes.

To address the resource and efficiency concerns of the comments, the Form G-325R process is entirely electronic. Anyone issued Form I-94 or I-94W upon their admission or parole to the United States is already registered. LPRs ( printed page 39267) who reenter the United States after a temporary absence abroad have generally already been registered as they are in possession of a Form I-551 (“a green card”) and are generally not seeking admission to the United States. See INA sec. 101(a)(13)(C), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(13)(C).

The statute requires an alien to provide fingerprints, unless waived, as part of the registration process, and in general, USCIS has not seen any significant delays or inefficiencies in biometric collection services. Section VI.B.3 of this preamble provides further discussion on the estimated cost to the agency of this rulemaking.

To the extent that the commenters suggest that DHS should not fully administer and enforce the alien registration requirements of the INA, DHS respectfully disagrees. Furthermore, the rule does not obligate additional enforcement of the existing statute DHS will administer, enforce, and faithfully execute these laws consistent with DHS's statutory duties under the INA, and as directed by the President, which includes defending against challenges from those who would prefer that the government not enforce these laws. DHS does not believe that defending the faithful implementation of immigration laws, as passed by Congress, against legal challenges is a waste of government resources, but instead is part of the government's mandate.

Comment: A few commenters expressed general concerns that the IFR would support government corruption and inappropriate usage of the immigration system. One of the commenters wrote that the requirement could lead to an increase in officers within the immigration system abusing their position of authority and that the government is trying to appear effective without being effective.

Response: As part of E.O. 14159, President Trump made it a priority to enforce the registration requirement in accordance with the law, and to publicize information about the duty of aliens described in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, to register and be fingerprinted (if required), as well as the related requirements to carry such evidence of registration and notify DHS of changes of address.

The goal of the IFR and final rule is to faithfully implement the alien registration requirements of the INA. DHS seeks to better ensure that aliens understand their duty under the law and have a path to satisfy that statutory duty through the new general registration process and form. Speculation about potential future misuse of authority or other malfeasance by government officials is beyond the scope of this rulemaking. This rulemaking does not set enforcement policy and cannot reasonably be expected to comprehensively account for such activity.

Comment: Many commenters wrote that the IFR does not adequately address how DHS would handle the massive influx of registrations and the associated administrative and enforcement costs of the rule, as well as impacts to the existing backlog and other essential DHS functions. Many commenters also expressed concern that the new registration system would further burden an overwhelmed system and exacerbate the USCIS backlog, resulting in negative effects, such as loss of protection, delays in visa and petition processing, and interruption in employment authorization.

Many commenters similarly stated that requiring millions of people to register and enforcing proof of registration would increase administrative costs for DOJ and USCIS, including costs for personnel, training, and materials; they said the latter agency already has severe backlogs in processing several benefit categories. Likewise, a commenter stated that creating, maintaining, and enforcing compliance with a massive registration regime would be extraordinarily costly and require new bureaucracy, increased surveillance, and extensive enforcement operations to act on the data collected, thus overwhelming DHS resources and layering on to existing backlogs. A commenter stated that the significant challenges USCIS already faces in processing Form I-765 filings would only become more acute if resources are diverted to process millions of Form G-325Rs, thus increasing current EAD processing backlogs and harming workers, businesses, and the overall economy in the process. A few commenters encouraged DHS to focus on other priorities, including improving efficiency within the existing system, such as reducing the case backlog, instead of expanding alien registration requirements.

A commenter stated that DHS does not have the necessary resources for increased logistics, staffing, training, and developing and maintaining a system, adding that if DHS does currently have the funding, the government could put it to better use in other departments within the government ” to improve services, staffing, training, etc.” A commenter also noted that the IFR would create unnecessary administrative burden for DHS employees during a period of Federal job reductions. Several commenters critiqued the rule for its lack of discussion on the current backlog at USCIS or how the rule would affect this backlog. Commenters expressed concern that USCIS is already experiencing significant backlogs in processing various applications, including asylum applications, Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status petitions, and other immigration benefits. Commenters also critiqued the IFR for its lack of discussion on the potential costs of adding “significant” additional workload to the overburdened state of USCIS, describing the ongoing economic damage of the backlog across benefit categories.

One of the commenters wrote that the government collects extensive biometric and biographic data through multiple agencies. Some commenters stated that many aliens are already registered, including individuals who have been granted or applied for lawful permanent residence, received a Form I-94 when arriving in the United States, were issued an EAD, or were issued a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa prior to their most recent arrival in the United States. Similarly, a commenter said relevant information is already collected via longstanding forms such as I-94, I-485, I-589, and I-765. The commenter stated that this rule fragments the system further, confusing both applicants and government agencies, creating overlap with existing databases and identification mechanisms, thus directly contradicting calls for immigration system streamlining. The commenter urged DHS to develop registration mechanisms that integrate with existing forms and databases, rather than creating redundant and confusing parallel systems.

Multiple commenters similarly expressed concern with the requirement for asylum applicants, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and others who have applied for humanitarian benefits not currently listed as a registration form, to submit the G-325R. A commenter noted that this duplication places a significant and unnecessary burden on DHS employees at a time when the Federal Government is cutting jobs.

A commenter stated that numerous immigration forms that require biometrics upon receipt as part of the form's application process are not listed as acceptable forms of registration, writing that this omission shows that this type of mandatory registration is outdated and unnecessary. For example, ( printed page 39268) the commenter said Form I-589 is not included on the list of accepted forms, but as part of the asylum process, all applicants must disclose extensive biographical and demographic information on Form I-589 and also complete the biometrics process. Therefore, the commenter reasoned that to consider asylum applicants as “not registered” is unreasonable and arbitrary and that the same argument would hold for a variety of different immigration forms and application processes, including U and T visas, SIJ, and VAWA relief. The commenter concluded that to force asylum, U visa, T visa, SIJ, and VAWA applicants to register using the G-325R would be a waste of government resources and time since the government already has the same information that is being asked for in the G-325R.

Response: DHS has an obligation to faithfully execute the laws established by Congress, including the alien registration requirement. The statute requires most aliens who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer to apply for registration and with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted. DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not created or modified the statutory requirements of an alien's duty to register with the government under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302.

In general, the IFR has not caused any significant processing delays or an increase of backlogs on other immigration benefits processed by USCIS. DHS purposefully streamlined the process by which unregistered aliens may register and comply with the law as required by the INA to benefit aliens and USCIS. The Form G-325R process is entirely electronic. Unlike paper filings, an unregistered alien submits information through the electronic process and is automatically prompted to provide necessary information to complete his or her registration. An alien obtains evidence of registration (USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration) almost instantly after applying for registration or after providing biometrics, if required. In the alien's myUSCIS account, he or she will be able to download and print a PDF version of the evidence of registration (USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration), which is of significance in light of the requirement in section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e), that all aliens 18 years or older in the United States who are required to register must at all times carry with them and have in their personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to them. The electronic processing of the Form G-325R eliminates manual intake processing that includes opening envelopes of a mailed submission, checking forms against acceptance criteria, and scanning the documents to convert them into electronic format or otherwise entering form responses into USCIS systems. Manual intake processing is more time-consuming and burdensome for the agency and could lead to delays in processing and data integrity issues. The electronic processing of Form G-325R has enhanced automated services for unregistered aliens and USCIS. This process has not created any significant processing delays and has not required reallocation of resources from other workloads in USCIS.

At this time, under 8 CFR 264.1(a) and (b), aliens who have filed the Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal, and other forms that are not enumerated in the existing regulations, are not considered to be registered. DHS notes that Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document, is listed as evidence of registration at 8 CFR 264.1(b). Many asylees, asylum applicants, TPS applicants, and other aliens have received such evidence of registration.

DHS is aware that there are areas of the existing regulations that could be improved, including amending the list of forms prescribed as registration forms in 8 CFR 264.1(a) and the list of forms constituted as evidence of registration in 8 CFR 264.1(b). As part of this final rule, DHS is requesting comments on various ways to amend the DHS regulation to improve implementation of the registration requirement under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. See section V of this preamble.

Comment: Many commenters expressed concerns that the rule would undermine public safety and law enforcement effectiveness. A commenter stated that communities across the country rely on a strong relationship with law enforcement officers; they said the IFR threatens that relationship due to the increased threat or perception of wrongful arrests, which would lead to a downward spiral of eroding trust impacting both U.S. citizens and aliens. Similarly, a different commenter expressed concern that enforcement agencies would be unable to distinguish between immigrants of different registration statuses and that there would be an increase in false arrests. With regard to trust, commenters wrote that the policy would damage community trust in law enforcement, subject both U.S citizens and lawfully present aliens, including LPRs, to wrongful arrests and detentions, and place additional strain on the immigration legal system without achieving meaningful public safety benefits. One commenter wrote that the current administration has already engaged in “haphazard and aggressive pattern of enforcement actions,” and that “this IFR will only fuel the alarming enforcement practices commonplace in this administration.” In connection with their stated concerns about public safety, some commenters wrote that aliens commit crime at lower rates than U.S. citizens.

Separate commenters wrote that the policy would pave the way for widespread abuse without improving community safety, with others adding that it would impede cooperation with law enforcement, make communities less safe, and also undermine officer safety. As an alternative to the IFR, a commenter recommended concentrating on improved coordination with local law enforcement agencies on tailored cooperation and focusing resources on the most serious national security and public safety threats, rather than registering and pursuing millions of aliens indiscriminately. A different commenter suggested that policymakers should pursue immigration policies that benefit the economy and increase public safety and prioritize the removal of legitimate public safety threats over individuals without a criminal record.

A commenter wrote that the IFR is expected to divert law enforcement from essential duties. The commenter warned that local officers directed to enforce the requirement to carry evidence of registration would need to engage in “complex interactions with considerable fourth and fifth amendment entanglements without appropriate funding for training in immigration requirements,” reducing overall public safety efficacy. With regard to police, a commenter stated that they are not trained in immigration law and may struggle to differentiate if someone is properly registered, potentially leading to false charges and litigation. The commenter cited a 2008 report from the Goldwater Institute stating that the effectiveness of the Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff's Department “was compromised by misplaced priorities,” including immigration enforcement. ( printed page 39269)

A commenter stated that law enforcement officials themselves have expressed concern about the impact of immigration enforcement on community trust, in particular when people are unwilling to or fearful of calling the police, report victimization, or cooperate as witnesses, it increases the vulnerability of everyone in the city to victimization. A commenter said that because of the severe penalties for not having registration, immigrants would be reluctant to have any contact with law enforcement officials, even if they are victims or witnessed a crime.

Many commenters stated that mandatory registration might deter individuals from seeking essential services, seeking help, or reporting crimes. For example, one of those commenters cited research that, per the commenter, showed that Hispanic community members were 30 percent less likely to report crimes during the implementation of Secure Communities, a 2008 program that automatically forwarded fingerprints of all arrestees to DHS. The same commenter noted that a review of local cooperation in Federal enforcement programs found that “none reduced violent crime [and] on the contrary, two of the arrangements significantly increased a person's risk of experiencing violent crime.” Another commenter wrote that the IFR makes communities less safe by creating a hostile environment for immigrants, affecting both immigrants and U.S. citizens. They said this could result in over-policing and stated that mandatory registration might deter “noncitizens” from reporting crimes, therefore undermining public safety and allowing crimes to go unreported, which impacts the broader community.

Expressing agreement with this viewpoint, another commenter wrote that there would be a “dramatic” spike in detention and deportation. They also wrote that USCIS fails to consider the impact of arbitrary and discriminatory searches, seizures, detentions, and deportations premised on the rule and the impacts on “noncitizens” and U.S. citizens alike. Numerous commenters expressed concern that the IFR would harm or instill fear in immigrant communities. A commenter stated that the rule may cause aliens who are already legally registered using other registration forms to be increasingly fearful and uncertain. A commenter wrote that fear among alien communities is being exacerbated by the administration's “threatening” rhetoric and by the tactics employed in immigration enforcement. Numerous commenters raised concerns that fear stemming from the IFR would lead to deterioration of trust in the immigration system and potential chilling effects on aliens' access or willingness to engage with public services, health care, the legal system, or legal immigration processes. For example, a commenter discussed potential fears that registering could expose individuals to future enforcement actions, deportation proceedings, or discriminatory treatment, and stated that the rule exacerbates fears, rather than addressing legitimate concerns transparently. Other commenters stated that the IFR would generally discourage civic participation or limit access to social services, because aliens are being treated with suspicion, rather than as valued members of society.

Response: DHS disagrees that the IFR negatively impacts public safety and participation in community safety, puts an undue burden on law enforcement, or would divert them from performing their essential duties. The alien registration requirement is not new. For the last 85 years, the laws of the United States have required most aliens present in the United States who remain for 30 days or longer to register and, with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted. The requirement that aliens register and update their address with the government within 10 days of moving, and the requirement that aliens issued evidence of registration carry such evidence on their person, were also established by Congress in the middle of the 20th century.[25] DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not created these requirements or modified the duties established by Congress for aliens. Similarly, this IFR did not create or modify the criminal penalties established by Congress many decades ago that apply when aliens fail to meet their registration and related obligations. This rule is consistent with E.O. 14159 and the alien registration requirements in sections 262 through 265 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1305, and establishes a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. It is within Congress' control and its policy choice to change the statutory registration requirement.

Furthermore, the rule does not obligate additional enforcement of the existing statute. The rule also does not oblige the removal of any unauthorized alien from the country. The rule establishes that those aliens that have not registered through other means can now register using Form G-325R. As explained in the IFR, the rule is expected to improve DHS law enforcement efficacy and to provide more comprehensive information about the location of aliens in the United States. Further, it will make it easier and safer for DHS to enforce the law and increase alien compliance with statutory fingerprinting requirements. These biometrics would provide the Department with additional information about an alien's criminal record, including whether the alien is a known or suspected terrorist.

Comment: Commenters stated that registration programs do not make communities safer but instead undermine community wellbeing, harm the community, drive families into hiding, and weaken the community instead of strengthening it. While expressing opposition, a commenter generally wrote that the rule would “attack our community.”

Commenters further wrote that the rule would make people afraid to send their children to school, leave their homes to go to work, and contribute to their communities. For example, a commenter, stating that they are a teacher, said that a public registry of immigrants would make it impossible for their students to attend school every day, and they expressed fear for their own safety if the registry were implemented.

Multiple commenters condemned the proposed registration process as unjust and infuriating, while others said it would destabilize communities, with another criticizing the policy as dangerous, saying that paperwork errors are harming innocent peoples' lives. Commenters added that registration programs do not make communities safer but instead would lead to civic disengagement and community divestment. Expressing a similar opinion, a commenter wrote that the IFR would impose unclear and punitive bureaucracy on immigrant workers and establishes a one-size-fits-all regulatory structure that does not differentiate between high-risk and low-risk individuals or those with legal protections and those without. They said this approach encourages disengagement from lawful processes, undermining both public safety and economic participation.

Commenters wrote that people deserve to live safely in their communities, with a commenter saying immigrants are integral to all corners of ( printed page 39270) life, including their neighborhood. A commenter generally stated that they oppose the alien registration as it would be a disservice to the American people to “implement such a task.”

Referring to personal experience, a commenter stated they live in a city with many aliens who contribute to the economy. They expressed concern about the potential separation of families and loved ones due to the new process, which they regarded as unjust. A commenter wrote that with their 45 years of experience in fostering learning and intercultural community, they recognize the widespread harm that would result if the IFR were implemented. Expressing opposition and without specifics, another commenter wrote that the rule is a step deeper into fascism and would hurt communities and the country at-large.

Commenters wrote that they value immigrants as important members of their communities and support their ability to remain in the United States while navigating the lengthy and complex citizenship process.

Response: This rulemaking has not changed the existing statutory registration requirements established by Congress. For many decades, the laws of the United States have required most aliens present in the United States who remain for 30 days or longer to register, and with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted. The statute further requires that all aliens 18 years or older in the United States who are required to register must at all times carry with them and have in their personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to them. Most aliens in the United States already complied with the alien registration requirement prior to the publication of the IFR and related information collection. The IFR fills a gap in the DHS's regulatory regime by prescribing a registration form available to all aliens regardless of their immigration status and corresponding evidence as proof of that registration. DHS believes that this general registration option may improve registration outcomes for certain groups of aliens.

Comment: With regard to university communities, some commenters wrote that student enrollment would be affected by the rule, with one of those citing research highlighting the impact of restrictive immigration on education. Another commenter said the United States is a top destination for individuals seeking to build skills and engage in intellectual exchange, adding that “noncitizen” students, graduates, and researchers enhance the U.S. workforce, economic competitiveness, and global leadership. The commenter wrote that on college campuses, both short- and long-term visitors enrich learning, advance knowledge, drive innovation, and offer fresh perspectives that benefit communities and the nation. Further, they wrote that the registration requirement could discourage immigrant populations, including immigrant students, scholars, and workers, from enrolling or seeking employment at U.S. higher education institutions. They continued, saying that this reduction in participation would negatively impact U.S. innovation and research, harming global competitiveness. The commenter said that countries with more predictable and readily intelligible immigration systems would have an advantage in recruiting top talent, contributing to recent trends that see international students and graduates choosing competitor countries over the United States. Additionally, they remarked that it would affect surrounding communities that rely on the economic and social contributions of students, faculty, and staff. They concluded that the United States risks losing both immediate consumer spending and long-term intellectual and social contributions from “noncitizen” communities.

Response: DHS, with the IFR and final rule, has not changed the existing statutory registration requirements established by Congress for aliens. This longstanding statute has always provided that most aliens over the age of 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of the 30 days. See INA sec. 262, 8 U.S.C. 1302.

DHS notes that many aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law. Any alien who was issued an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa and at his or her most recent arrival was admitted into the United States using that visa is registered. This includes aliens who are nonimmigrant students or exchange visitors.

Comment: Many commenters discussed and compared alien registration under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, to NSEERS, a program implemented after 9/11, stating that past attempts to enforce similar policies led to the disproportionate targeting, detention and deportation of U.S. residents, and increased discrimination.[26] For example, a commenter remarked that while NSEERS rarely resulted in criminal prosecution, prosecution is a major component of this IFR. Commenters also stated that NSEERS led to prolific racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination and many legally questionable outcomes, including possible First and Fourteenth Amendment and civil rights violations. A commenter remarked that NSEERS resulted in over 13,000 people being placed in removal proceedings, yet produced no convictions for terrorism, contrary to the purported purpose of the program. Comparing NSEERS to the IFR, a commenter stated that an Office of Inspector General report in 2012 found that the NSEERS was ineffective and duplicative of existing, more reliable methods of information gathering. The commenter stated that the IFR's registration system would face similar problems, such as difficulty for registrants to adhere to requirements due to system outages and delays and other technical glitches and lack of access ( e.g., technology and language barriers) in its online-only model.

Response: The IFR and this final rule serves a different purpose than NSEERS, which primarily established criteria for the registration of special groups under section 263 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1303. In contrast, the IFR merely identifies an additional registration form related to general registration requirements that already apply. The goal of the IFR and this final rule is to ensure that aliens have a straightforward way to satisfy their obligation to register. The Form G-325R is available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status, religion, nationality, or race. Comments regarding technical difficulties with the online G-325R are addressed in more detail in section III.F.2.b of this preamble.

Comment: A commenter indicated that while the INA includes registration provisions, the IFR would exceed the law's intended administrative functions and would weaponize registration to effect mass removals. Another commenter wrote that the IFR exceeds sections 262 through 264 of the INA authorities, remarking that those provisions govern entry documentation, not retroactive registration of ( printed page 39271) individuals already residing in the United States. Many commenters criticized the IFR as an attempt to facilitate the removal of individuals under the Alien Enemies Act,[27] which they stated the President has invoked illegally or improperly, and for the purpose of terrorizing aliens with removal and criminal penalties, and removing and detaining individuals without due process solely based on national origin or perceived threats Another commenter wrote that the Department should not implement any registration requirements until the administration “complies with existing laws, rules, regulations, and court orders.”

Response: DHS disagrees with the assertion that the intent of the IFR is to “weaponize registration to effect mass removals,” or to terrorize aliens or remove them without due process. This rule is also unrelated to the Alien Enemies Act. Section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, simply requires registration and fingerprinting of aliens in the United States for 30 days or more, which is well within this nation's sovereign prerogative to require. This rule addresses a gap in the existing regulatory regime and ensures that all aliens, regardless of their immigration status, have a way to comply with their duty under the law. The Department has a duty to implement the registration requirements and administer and enforce all the immigration laws of the United States.

Comment: Several commenters expressed their opposition to the registration of aliens by citing to examples of historic use of registration as an explanation as to why they believe that the IFR would result in violations and harm to the immigrant and U.S. communities, as well as the Federal Government, and why registration is an ineffective method of keeping the United States safe. For example, a commenter wrote that during World War II the Alien Registration Act of 1940 required aliens to register with the Federal Government or face imprisonment or fine. Specifically relating to World War II, commenters noted that by early 1942, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had arrested 2,192 Japanese, 1,393 German, and 264 Italian nationals, and that this law also led to the internment of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese descent, including U.S. citizens. Several commenters similarly expressed general concerns about the Department invoking the statute that led to internment use during World War II for modern immigration issues. Citing to research, commenters indicated that U.S. internments during World War II caused trauma with long-lasting effect, and were later found to not be supported by military necessity. Commenters wrote that racism, war hysteria, and failure of political leadership led to grave injustice to communities.

A commenter stated that while the Supreme Court originally upheld the practice of the imprisonment of thousands of Japanese residents during World War II in Korematsu v. United States (1944),[28] it repudiated that decision in Trump v. Hawaii (2018),[29] when the first Trump administration cited to Korematsu in its defense in a lawsuit over a travel ban on certain people groups.[30] Commenters also remarked that the “invasion” narrative has been part of xenophobic, discriminatory, and anti-immigrant rhetoric for over a century, citing to examples such as the “Chinese Invasion” in 1873 that incited hate against Chinese immigrants and paved the way for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 or the Immigration Act of 1924. Other commenters stated that the IFR reanimates a World War II-era policy originally invoked during a time of war, which they said no longer aligns with the values and needs of a modern and diverse society.

Response: On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued E.O. 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, which directed DHS to ensure that aliens comply with their statutory duty, as provided by Congress, to register with the government under sections 262 through 265 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1305. See90 FR 8443, 8444 (Jan. 29, 2025). The President further directed DHS and DOJ to ensure that failure to comply with the registration requirement is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority. See90 FR 8443, 8444 (Jan. 29, 2025).

Many aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law, through a variety of pathways identified in 8 CFR 264.1 or through the visa application process with State. However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States, including many who have not previously been encountered by DHS, have no straightforward way to register and meet their registration obligations under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. Despite the history cited in the comments, Congress specifically included alien registration requirements in the INA of 1952, well after World War II had ended. Congress made the policy choice to require registration; DHS is merely administering and enforcing longstanding legal requirements, consistent with the President's direction. The purpose of establishing the new form, G-325R, Biometric Information (Registration), is not to target racial groups or for other discriminatory purposes, but to create an online process by which unregistered aliens may register and comply with the alien registration provisions of the INA. As explained in the IFR, DHS does believe that one of the benefits of the designation of a general registration form option is that it will improve the registration outcomes for aliens, which in turn will result in improved law enforcement efficacy. See90 FR 11793, 11797 (Mar. 12, 2025).

Comment: Many commenters expressed concern with the statutory basis for the rule, with many stating that the alien registration requirements of the INA: (1) are obsolete or misaligned with the current immigration landscape; (2) originated in a different historical context; (3) are not well suited to address the current U.S. immigration system; or (4) do not align with modern values of inclusivity, fairness, and human rights. Commenters stated that the United States has effectively abandoned universal registration for the past 75 years, and that after the overhaul of federal immigration law in 1952 and 1965, the U.S. Government shifted registration into regularized immigration applications and enforcement.

Many commenters believed that mandatory registration is not commensurate with, nor reflective of, modern immigration law and practice, and is contrary to the intent of our current laws. For example, commenters remarked that the IFR essentially revives a policy deemed unnecessary ( printed page 39272) and irrelevant to the country's postwar immigration framework. Commenters, expressing concerns with the IFR, stated that the Alien Registration Act of 1940 (also known as the Smith Act) had been dormant, and not operationalized on such a large scale as the IFR since 1940, and that it would have negative economic and societal costs while providing minimal benefits to Americans and the United States. Commenters similarly remarked that the IFR marks a stark departure from the narrow application of the registration statute over the past 80 years and that the World War II-era independent registration process reflected in the statute has been abandoned since 1950.

Other commenters wrote that the administration is “weaponizing once unenforceable and obsolete laws” rooted in wartime xenophobia, and with the IFR, is undermining democracy, freedom, and human rights, and is proliferating “inhumane and racist” immigration policies. Commenters suggested that DHS remove 8 CFR part 264 entirely due to the “obsolescence of the underlying legal regime.”

Some commenters stated that the IFR is an inappropriate way to apply the Smith Act in today's immigration context because the country is not at war and the Smith Act's purpose and intent, which was based on World War II policies, was to protect the United States from potential invasion by an enemy power and prevent communists who sought to overthrow the U.S. Government from immigrating. Thus, commenters concluded that the Smith Act was created in a vastly different context, while the current circumstances involve individuals and families who have been living and contributing to society for years, including those who are waiting for a resolution regarding their asylee or refugee status. In light of these concerns, many commenters stated that the registration requirement should be either rescinded or modified. A commenter suggested that Congress should have a “proper discussion” around this and other immigration policies.

A commenter wrote that while registration requirements were added to the INA in 1952, the government has not previously leveraged these provisions to support a separate, national registration process applicable to all aliens. Instead, the commenter said, DHS regulations have identified various immigration forms that constitute evidence of registration, such as Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record), Form I-862 (NTA), Form I-766 (EAD), and Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card), among others. The commenter expressed concern that, prior to the IFR, the government did not maintain another process for individuals not covered by the enumerated forms to register, yet, this rule would require millions of people, including children, to interpret the IFR's complex provisions and complete a separate form requesting information with bearing on their cases for immigration relief, without guidance or legal assistance.

Response: Since 1940, the laws of the United States have required most aliens present in the United States who remain for 30 days or longer to register, and with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted. DHS agrees that the law was enacted at a different time in history, but this is true of many laws and many provisions of the INA. Since the time Congress first enacted the Smith Act, Congress has codified alien registration requirements into the INA in 1952 and subsequently amended the INA many times without eliminating these requirements. To offer a non-exhaustive list, Congress amended section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, in 1994, see Public Law 103-416, title II, sec. 219(n) (Oct. 25, 1994) (technical correction); in 1988, see Public Law 100-525, sec. 8(h) (Oct. 24, 1988) (adding fingerprinting waiver authority); and in 1986, see Public Law 99-653, sec. 9 (Nov. 14, 1986) (technical correction). And Congress amended section 264 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304 in 1996, seePublic Law 104-208, Div. C, title IV, sec. 415 (Sept. 30, 1996) (authority to require aliens to provide their Social Security numbers (SSNs)), and in 1990, see Public Law 101-649, title V, sec. 503(b)(2) (Nov. 29, 1990) (adding reference to information sharing under section 287(f)(2) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1357(f)(2)). And as part of a 2008 law extending U.S. immigration laws to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Congress provided the Secretary with additional alien registration authority and specifically clarified that “[n]othing in this paragraph shall modify or limit section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1302) or other provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to the registration of aliens.” 48 U.S.C. 1806(e)(3).

DHS and State have continued over the years to provide ways for many aliens to register by providing several pathways to do so and made changes to the registration provisions in the regulations to reflect current procedures and processes. However, following the issuance of E.O. 14159, DHS was aware that there was a gap in the existing regulatory regime that made it difficult for some aliens to comply with the registration requirement. The President is charged with taking care that the laws be faithfully executed, and by establishing this general registration form and process, DHS is faithfully executing these laws.

Comment: A commenter listed other U.S. laws or programs that they compared to the IFR and that they said were discriminatory, including the Johnson-Reed Act (1924), the Relatives Rule (1941), and the Bracero programs (1917-21 and 1942-64). Other commenters, while criticizing the legal and constitutional basis for the IFR, likened it to historical discriminatory legal regimes abroad, such as those in Nazi Germany or apartheid-era South Africa.

Response: The historically discriminatory regimes abroad do not correlate to the alien registration requirement. Furthermore, DHS disagrees that the U.S. laws or programs cited by the commenter are comparable to the alien registration requirement. Unlike the alien registration requirement, the referenced laws or programs were either repealed or were not incorporated into the INA. The alien registration requirement was incorporated into the INA periodically updated by Congress, with the most recent updates in the 1990s.[31]

Comment: A commenter objected to the IFR, stating that it is based on an E.O. containing “broad mandates and inflammatory, xenophobic language.” Questioning the legal basis of the rule, a commenter stated that the E.O. that the rule implements is unlawful. The commenter wrote that the E.O. seeks to characterize “lawful and necessary” migration driven by persecution, war, famine, and natural disasters as an “invasion.” The commenter added that if the government's true intent were to remove violent criminals, it could accomplish this by cross-referencing State criminal databases and focusing on removing these individuals. Instead, the commenter wrote, the IFR would criminalize refugees and asylum seekers. Other commenters stated that the E.O. is “inherently founded in race-based prejudice.”

Response: DHS disagrees with the commenters and notes that the language choices in the E.O. have no impact on the lawfulness of implementing section 7 of the E.O., which merely directs DHS and other agencies to faithfully execute ( printed page 39273) the laws established by Congress relating to alien registration.

Comment: Commenters indicated that the IFR addresses a question of major national significance and is not clearly supported by clear congressional authorization, such that courts should apply the “major questions doctrine” when evaluating the rule's lawfulness. A commenter reasoned that the IFR imposes a registration obligation that impacts between 2.2 and 3.2 million people, with the likely purpose of removing individuals and conferring criminal penalties on those who fail to register. This commenter, as well as others, stated that the IFR effectively criminalizes unlawful status, which has historically been a civil offense. The commenter wrote that Congress had considered creating criminal penalties for unlawful presence in the United States in the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 but rejected doing so.

The commenter observed that Congress' alleged failure to criminalize unlawful presence, combined with the general and long-standing shift in the use of registration, indicated that the IFR creating such criminal penalties is contrary to congressional intent and the purpose of the statute. Citing West Virginia v. EPA, 597 U.S. 697 (2022), the commenter opined that the IFR uses an outdated and dormant national security provision to effect a major policy change, violating the major questions doctrine. Therefore, the commenter concluded that its issues should be left to Congress to consider for legislation.

A commenter stated that the IFR created a “two-track registration system” under which an alien would either admit to the crime of illegal entry by submitting Form G-325R or be guilty of failing to register. The commenter suggested that this approach is inconsistent with “the single-track registration system created by Congress,” under which Congress contemplated that aliens would be able to register without needing to admit to any crimes.

A few commenters stated that the IFR represents a “betrayal” of the mission with which Congress charged USCIS as an immigration benefits and adjudications agency, insofar as registration is an immigration enforcement tool for DHS and the administration.

Response: In relation to the major questions doctrine,[32] Congress, in sections 262 through 265 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1305, specifically authorized and directed DHS [33] to register aliens, and in section 264 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304, to prescribe forms for the registration of aliens under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, and related actions.[34] Congress also specifically directed DHS to include, on alien registration forms, inquiries into “the date and place of entry of the alien into the United States.” INA sec. 264(a)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1304(a)(1). The decision to offer a registration form to those who must register, and to include on that form the questions that Congress required DHS to ask, does not implicate the major questions doctrine and DHS disagrees with the commenter's characterization of this rule as an action of major political or economic significance as described in West Virginia. However, even if the matter were of great political or economic significance, it would be supported by clear congressional authorization.

However, as explained in the preamble to the IFR, Federal statutes have, since 1940, generally required aliens present in the United States for 30 days or more to register and be fingerprinted.

DHS also disagrees that this rule criminalizes unlawful status or presence in the United States. The INA has long contained provisions criminalizing various forms of immigration-related conduct. See, e.g., INA secs. 264(e), 366, 272-278, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e), 1306, 1322-1328. Thus, although the commenter is correct that immigration violations are often handled as civil matters, any criminal liability feared by the commenter nevertheless exists by virtue of longstanding statutory provisions. Nothing in the IFR, by designating a registration form and evidence of registration as a general means for individuals to comply with the statutory registration requirement, impermissibly deviates from congressional intent or the plain meaning of the statute.

Comment: A commenter stated that the “new registration requirement” is “redundant,” because section 262(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(a), already requires covered aliens to register. A commenter wrote that self-registration is not necessary to enforce the statutory scheme, stating that the government's interest—“the criminalization of non-citizens without proper registration”—is not significant, as many States already provide an identification card (ID) for aliens. Commenters also stated that the purpose of registration is not to detect and prosecute criminal aliens, but rather, to criminalize all aliens who do not have the Form G-325R.

Response: The registration requirement is not new or redundant. Congress prescribed the requirement in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, and directed DHS to implement the requirement. DHS designated the new registration form to address a gap in the existing regulatory regime relating to registration and allow all aliens, regardless of their status, to fulfill their duty to register under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. DHS has the obligation to faithfully execute the laws established by Congress, including the alien registration requirement, regardless of other ID provided by States. In response to the specific comment about the criminalization of “all aliens who do not have” the new evidence of registration, this is inaccurate. Many aliens inside the United States are already registered and have evidence of registration without the need to utilize the new form and process.

Comment: Commenters discussed the history of legislation providing protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other serious crimes, such as VAWA and the VTVPA. The commenters remarked that over 30 years ago, a bipartisan Congress recognized the risks faced by aliens who are ( printed page 39274) immigrant survivors when it enacted VAWA, which created immigration protections for survivors who experience battery or extreme cruelty that allow them to apply for immigration relief without the knowledge or consent of the abusive partner, giving them a path to safety and independence. The commenters continued, writing that Congress strengthened protections through VTVPA, which created the T nonimmigrant status (“T visa”) for victims of trafficking and the U nonimmigrant status (“U visa”) for victims of certain qualifying crimes who are willing to cooperate with law enforcement. The commenters criticized the IFR, stating that it disregards the congressional intent of these laws by exposing survivors of violence to immigration enforcement before their cases are resolved and deprives them of the protections Congress explicitly created for them. A commenter emphasized the historical importance of VAWA and VTVPA protections and urged DHS to uphold them.

A commenter said that the IFR's content regarding change of address requirements creates needless hardships for aliens as it would deprive them of private, safe addresses to protect themselves from their abusers as they take steps toward independence.

A commenter remarked that 8 U.S.C. 1367 prohibits DHS from making adverse determinations using information furnished by abusers or disclosing information about alien victims. The commenter expressed concern that the IFR does not address how these privacy protections, particularly with respect to address reporting on Form G-325R, would be maintained, and that the IFR does not account for domestic violence laws that establish address confidentiality for eligible aliens for their safety. The commenter concluded that despite the IFR mentioning “safe addresses,” it does not explain what that means in the context of registration, nor does Form G-325R appear to allow for address confidentiality.

Another commenter wrote that the IFR failed to address the special circumstances of alien victims in shelters and at unsafe addresses; under USCIS special protections, applicants for VAWA, T- and U-based benefits are entitled to use safe mailing addresses and have their cases processed according to strict privacy rules. The commenter stated that the IFR would violate those privacy protections by demanding that such aliens register using a general registration form that is not processed by the “special applicants' office of the Vermont Service Center,” and that, unlike other immigration information collections, the IFR includes no provisions related to procedures that would be used to protect this data in conformity with heightened VAWA protections. The commenter added that disclosing shelter addresses is often against the policies of the shelter and doing so can result in aliens becoming ineligible for housing there.

Response: Aliens submitting a Form G-325R do not qualify as a protected alien under 8 U.S.C. 1367, by virtue of such filing; however, if the alien is otherwise designated as a protected alien on another basis, USCIS would maintain the same protections for information submitted through the Form G-325R process as it does for other information provided by such protected aliens. Form G-325R collects a physical address and allows aliens to provide a safe address. As with all USCIS forms in which an alien may provide a safe address, if USCIS contacts the alien through the mail it will use the safe address that he or she provides. However, the G-325R process is entirely electronic at this time. All notices sent from USCIS to an alien are uploaded to the alien's myUSCIS account. None of the notices correlating to a Form G-325R are issued via mail. Therefore, not only may aliens provide a safe address, consistent with longstanding USCIS practice, USCIS does not at this time send any documents through the mail in connection with Form G-325R. While an alien is required to provide a physical address, DHS will continue to ensure that personnel adhere to statutory requirements and protections.

Comment: Several commenters expressed general concerns related to the constitutionality of the IFR or registration requirement. For example, a commenter expressing opposition to the IFR urged those in power to stop the “blatant violation” of the U.S. Constitution and indicated that those involved in this process who do not attempt to stop it are in dereliction of their duty to the U.S. Constitution. Commenters criticized the IFR, saying that it “fails to account for its sweeping impact on the constitutional rights of citizens and noncitizens alike.”

Response: DHS disagrees with commenters' broad characterization of this rule as unconstitutional. This rule makes available a new mechanism by which aliens may comply with longstanding statutory registration and fingerprinting requirements, as directed by Congress. It is the Executive's constitutional duty to faithfully execute the law created by Congress. DHS responds to comments raising specific constitutionality concerns later in this final rule.

With respect to the U.S. Government's general authority to require aliens within its borders to register, DHS notes that a nation has a sovereign prerogative to control its borders. Cf. Ping v. United States, 130 U.S. 581, 603-04 (1889) (“That the government of the United States, through the action of the legislative department, can exclude aliens from its territory is a proposition which we do not think open to controversy. Jurisdiction over its own territory to that extent is an incident of every independent nation. It is a part of its independence. If it could not exclude aliens it would be to that extent subject to the control of another power.”). Congress long ago legislated in pursuit of this utmost responsibility by, among others, setting statutory registration and fingerprinting requirements. What is more, the U.S. Constitution vests both Congress and the Executive with control over immigration matters; the Supreme Court for over a century has acknowledged that the President's broad foreign affairs power extends to matters of immigration. U.S. Const. Art. II, § 2, cl. 2; Fong Yue Ting v. United States, 149 U.S. 698, 713 (1893) (finding because the regulation of immigration is “a power affecting international relations,” it appropriately “is vested in the political departments of the government”). These broad constitutional authorities further support the statutory alien registration requirements and the President's authority to direct DHS to take care to faithfully execute such requirements. They provide ample authority for the IFR, which merely designates a new form by which aliens can comply with longstanding statutory requirements.

Comment: Commenters expressed general concern that the disclosures required by the IFR, such as the requirement to report past criminal activity, would violate the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, would place aliens in a position of identifying themselves for purposes of enforcement, or would generally violate Fifth Amendment rights. One commenter stated that the IFR is “unconstitutional on its face,” because it would ask aliens to confess to crimes and violations of criminal substance abuse laws and requires aliens who are present in the United States without documentation to register ( printed page 39275) “even though the current administration regards undocumented immigrants to be illegal.”

Commenters stated that the requirement to register and potential penalties for non-registration implicate Fifth Amendment protections in several ways, including by:

In light of these concerns, commenters either urged DHS to withdraw or not implement the rule, or to reconsider the registration requirement and develop an alternative approach that respects constitutional protections against self-incrimination.

A commenter reasoned that because of the privilege against self-incrimination, the requirement would be unenforceable and that it would be impossible to convict an alien for willful failure to register, citing Grosso v. United States, 390 U.S. 67, 70 (1968). The commenter reasoned that the finding in this case requires that DHS amend the form to include a guarantee that information required by the form would never be used to prosecute a registrant for criminal offenses. This commenter further remarked that the Alien Registration Act itself did not have such a self-incrimination problem, because the form it imposed was universal for all aliens and did not demand admission of a crime.

Citing to case law, a commenter stated that the privilege against self-incrimination protects not just against answers that would alone support convictions, but also against evidence needed to prosecute for a Federal crime.[35] A commenter concluded that because of the Supreme Court's rejection of the “exculpatory no,” [36] the only way an alien subject to the IFR can invoke their privilege against self-incrimination is either not to register, or to register without fully completing the registration form. The commenter specifically identified questions 1.11 (address history), 1.12 (last arrival), 1.13 (I-94 information), 3.2 (crimes committed without arrest), and 3.5 (controlled substance violations) as problematic from a self-incrimination perspective.

Another commenter discussed the “essentially regulatory” exception to the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, which the commenter said permits compelled disclosure of testimonial information as part of a comprehensive regulatory scheme when the government action is directed at the public at large and related to an essentially noncriminal and regulatory inquiry. The commenter stated that the IFR does not qualify for this exception because it targets those suspected of criminal conduct and is not essentially regulatory in nature.

Response: DHS disagrees that this rule violates aliens' Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. The Fifth Amendment does not forbid the government from asking questions and it does not forbid the government from taking the answers. See Nat'l Fed'n of Fed. Emps. v. Greenberg, 983 F.2d 286, 291 (D.C. Cir. 1993). Nor does it impede the enforcement of a valid civil regulatory regime. Rajah v. Mukasey, 544 F.3d 427, 442 (2d Cir. 2008). Courts “have long recognized the power to expel or exclude aliens as a fundamental sovereign attribute exercised by the Government's political departments largely immune from judicial control.” Fiallo v. Bell, 430 U.S. 787, 792 (1977). The nature of registration is regulatory rather than criminal because it is not “permeated with criminal statutes and [ ] there is a substantial non-prosecutorial interest served by the reporting regime.” Rajah, 544 F.3d at 442. Specifically, the primary purpose of registration is to enhance immigration law enforcement through the regulation of aliens seeking to enter and remain in the United States. Certainly, there are criminal penalties for willful failure to register and failure to notify DHS of a change in address, but the purpose of the statutory framework is to exercise authority over the regulation of aliens in this country. Furthermore, courts consistently acknowledge that the Fifth Amendment does not relieve individuals of their statutory obligations to make certain submissions to the Federal Government. See United States v. Oliver, 505 F.2d 301, 307 (7th Cir. 1974) (observing Fifth Amendment does not relieve taxpayers of statutory obligation to report income in full, including income from illegal ventures) (overruled on other grounds).

Thus, the Fifth Amendment does not protect an alien from having to provide information relevant to the registration that is a condition of the alien's presence in the United States, including information from passports, other documents, or statements regarding his or her immigration status. See Rajah, 544 F.3d at 441 (relating to NSEERS registration policy); see also, e.g., United States v. Sacco, 428 F.2d 264, 271 (9th Cir. 1970); Matter of Chen, 15 I&N Dec. 480, 482 (BIA 1975); Matter of Yau, 14 I&N Dec. 630, 635 (BIA 1974). Finally, a Fifth Amendment self-incrimination claim is not ripe until a claim of the privilege is actually asserted. See, e.g., Carman v. Yellen, 112 F.4th 386, 404 (6th Cir. 2024).

Comment: Many commenters also indicated that the IFR would violate or result in violations of Fifth Amendment due process protections, such as protections against arbitrary or wrongful government actions like immigration enforcement, arrests, detentions, or removals. Commenters also indicated that this is particularly likely given accessibility challenges such as language barriers and lack of access to counsel of understand the IFR. Others expressed due process concerns relating to the targeting of cities and States with welcoming policies for enforcement actions; warrantless collateral arrests that violate binding settlement agreements; and removal of whole families that include U.S. citizens. A commenter urged DHS to revise the IFR to include “due process safeguards, such including clear eligibility guidelines, waiver processes, and appeal mechanisms.” The commenter did not suggest specific guidelines or processes, or bases for appeal.

Citing to the three-part test for evaluating due process requirements from Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976), a commenter stated that aliens have a significant private interest in avoiding criminal prosecution; that due to language barriers and poverty there is a significant risk of erroneous deprivation; and that the government's interest in this case is not in genuine security but in leveraging fear over immigration for political purposes. This commenter also stated that with the registration requirement, individuals are not afforded a meaningful opportunity to be heard before the governmental action deprives them of a significant interest as required by Goldberg v. Kelly, 397 U.S. 254 (1970), because DHS is not providing registrants reasonable opportunities to comply with its stringent deadlines or to access legal counsel, placing undue burdens on aliens to submit required documentation within an unrealistic time frame. ( printed page 39276)

Response: DHS disagrees that this rule violates aliens' Fifth Amendment right to due process and also declines to establish additional eligibility guidelines, waiver processes, and appeal mechanisms associated with the registration.

The IFR simply amended the regulations to designate a new registration form for aliens to comply with the statutory registration requirements. The registration requirement of section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 was implemented by Congress; any due process objection to a registration obligation in general amounts to an objection to the statute rather than this rule. This rule's only effect is to create a registration form that ensures all aliens have a way to register, consistent with the statute. And in any event, there is no cognizable due process interest in violating U.S. immigration law and remaining undetected indefinitely, or in failing to register consistent with one's statutory obligations. It has long been held that aliens enjoy some constitutional protections regardless of their status, but the protection is limited by Congress' broad powers to control immigration. See, e.g., Ahmed v. Gonzales, 447 F.3d 433, 439 (5th Cir. 2006) (recognizing, as part of NSEERS registration, Congress' broad power to control immigration) (citing Rodriguez-Silva v. INS, 242 F.3d 243, 246, 247 (5th Cir. 2001)). DHS also notes that the duty to register and its consequences is unrelated to the consequences of potential removal because of other actions that render individuals removable and that with the registration requirement, DHS neither is targeting certain classes of aliens, cities, or States. Rather, Congress universally prescribed the registration requirement to all aliens, and the general registration option provided by DHS is available to all previously unregistered aliens regardless of their status.

Regarding commenters' statements about certain aliens' limited proficiency in English or access to legal resources, DHS notes that immigration forms are only offered in English.[37] Inability to speak English because the alien does not understand English, but can vocalize other languages, is not a disability warranting a reasonable accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act.[38] DHS also notes that any individual—alien or citizen—potentially affected by a DHS regulation may theoretically have limited access to legal resources to help them understand that regulation and how it may affect them. DHS is not required to provide aliens with legal resources, but this rule does not prevent an alien from seeking counsel. DHS accordingly does not view commenters' concern about access to legal resources as outweighing the agency's interest in faithfully executing the statutory registration and fingerprinting requirements. For all these reasons, this rule steers well clear of infringing upon the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and right to due process and equal protection of law.

Comment: An organization commented that subjecting alien children to the requirements of the rule belies the outdated nature of the registration statute and remarked that since its enactment, our understanding of childhood and adolescence has significantly evolved, with subsequent legislation recognizing the differences and vulnerabilities of children and teenagers. Another commenter stated that the key change attempts to divert juveniles away from the criminal legal system.

Another commenter stated that Congress created specific procedural protections for unaccompanied alien children (UAC) in the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), see, e.g.,8 U.S.C. 1232, in recognition of UAC's particular vulnerability and to prevent their return to trafficking and other harm. The commenter reasoned that the IFR's and E.O. 14159's compliance with the TVPRA is questionable, because the IFR would subject aliens over the age of 14 to its requirements, but it does not appear to consider alien children's distinct developmental needs, limited understanding of immigration law, and need for support and care from trusted adults, with greater barriers for UACs. The commenter elaborated on concerns for UACs, writing that noncompliance with the IFR could lead to detention of them, but that the IFR does not explain how such detentions would comport with TVPRA, the Flores Settlement Agreement, or other juvenile justice reforms. The commenter concluded that the IFR would allow for the summary detention, removal, or other penalties for alien children, and therefore contravenes TVPRA's aim of ensuring vulnerable alien children are able to fairly access legal protections to prevent their return to trafficking and other harm, adding that there is no reason to think that Congress anticipated the Executive Branch would revive a comprehensive registration program and apply it in a manner that would threaten alien children's due process protections.

Citing multiple concerns about impacts of the IFR on alien children, a commenter urged DHS to reconsider registration requirements to preserve civil rights and public safety protections for alien children. The commenter stated that a universal registration requirement for aliens “as the IFR proposes” would “increase the vectors by which vulnerable migrants, particularly minors, may be exploited by bad actors.” The commenter explained that they had worked with an alien who is 19 years old and fled Guatemala after having been forced to work as a child domestic servant, and that even after arriving in the United States, this alien had such limited access to necessary information that she would have been “an ideal target for would-be cozeners seeking to prey on newcomers who are unfamiliar with the requirements of the IFR.” Another commenter urged DHS to protect aliens who were brought to the United States as children.

Response: DHS disagrees that the registration requirement threatens due process interests of alien children. The USCIS website contains information to help all aliens understand the registration requirement. All aliens, including UACs, must follow the INA, which requires all aliens, with limited exceptions, to apply for registration and fingerprinting if they are age 14 or older and will remain in the United States for 30 days or longer.

Comment: Many commenters expressed a general concern that the IFR would require aliens to show proof of registration, which would also lead to racial profiling, fears of detention, and ultimately chill First Amendment liberties, including the right to assembly and freedom of expression. Citing to research, a commenter said that studies have found a direct link between widespread surveillance or profiling and restricted First Amendment activity among members of the community being targeted. Others expressed particular concerns for the IFR's chilling effect in the context of the Trump administration's broader immigration enforcement policies, including the right to nonviolently object to government policies that have a ( printed page 39277) potential discriminatory effect and to arbitrary enforcement practices. A commenter stated that the IFR would facilitate the administration's agenda of targeting individuals based on speech by providing near-universal centralized identifying information for all aliens.

Another commenter opposed the IFR because alien registration would be used to persecute those who exercise their freedom of speech to disagree with the policies of an administration or political party.

Several commenters voiced concern that the IFR would have, and already has had, a chilling effect on free speech and expression for aliens, due to fear of detention and deportation. A commenter stated that the IFR trespasses on freedom of religion and speech by working “hand-in-hand with the rescinding of the Sensitive Locations Memos to intrude upon the religious freedom of U.S. residents by discouraging many from attending religious services for fear of being profiled or to exercise their freedom of speech for fear of being targeted for deportation, even erroneously.” Regarding speech rights, a commenter stated that the current administration has been revoking immigration status, including student visas, based on speech and that IFR would facilitate this agenda by providing centralized identifying information for all aliens, creating a chilling effect on First Amendment protections.

A commenter expressed concern that the organization's most visible and active members could become targets for enforcement whether they register or not, directly impacting their work of advocating for low-income and immigrant communities. The commenter remarked that their organization's advocacy often relies on in-person events such as rallies to advance policy proposals and that the IFR creates a chilling effect on individuals' willingness to participate in these forms of advocacy. The commenter stated that the IFR would necessitate greater surveillance and monitoring of their community, and reported that they have already witnessed the negative impact of registration-like policies on political speech and the organization's advocacy activities, such as their ability to find and support members willing to share their stories for use with the press, legislators, and social media in support of building grassroot support and advancing the organization's policy goals. Additionally, the commenter stated that during rallies organizers spend significant time addressing these concerns.

Response: Citizens and aliens of course may object to various statutes, regulations, and policies and express those objections publicly. This rule does not abridge the freedom of speech, of the press, or of association or peaceful assembly. A pre-enforcement facial challenge under the First Amendment cannot lie unless an individual establishes that he or she faces a “credible threat of prosecution” “under a statute [or rule] that appears to render the [individual]'s arguably protected speech illegal.” Am. Library Ass'n v. Barr, 956 F.2d 1178, 1194 (D.C. Cir. 1992). That is not and cannot be the case here. Neither section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, nor this rule renders illegal any form of speech. Section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 simply requires registration and fingerprinting of aliens in the United States for 30 days or more, which is well within this nation's sovereign prerogative to require. This rule addresses a gap in the existing regulatory regime and provides a way for all aliens, regardless of their immigration status, to comply with their duty under the law.

DHS notes that registration activity has always taken place, as evidenced by the forms listed in 8 CFR 264.1, in accordance with the nearly century-old statutory requirement. The questions on the Form G-325R are similar to questions on other registration forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a), including the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent or Adjust Status.

Comment: Many commenters expressed a general concern that the IFR would lead to in racism, xenophobia, racial profiling, or discrimination.

Some commenters indicated that the IFR would lead to racial profiling which, in turn, would lead to wrongful arrests of U.S. citizens and LPRs. A commenter said that the rule fundamentally alters the rights and interests of millions of people, including U.S. citizens who may be asked to show “proof” of their citizenship in any discriminatory dragnet created by this registration rule, adding that this process is part of a larger attack on immigrant communities.

A commenter stated that the IFR would particularly target aliens based not only on national origin but also on race and ethnicity in order boost arrest statistics to meet quotas. The commenter referenced a Washington Post report stating that the administration has directed ICE officials to increase arrests to meet daily quotas, with each field office required to make 75 arrests per day and managers being held accountable for failing to meet these targets. This commenter and others reasoned that racial profiling is an unavoidable certainty in a system where law enforcement is encouraged to demand proof of registration without justification. Commenters said that law enforcement could ask for proof of registration based on factors such as an individual's ethnicity, skin color, uncommon name, language proficiency, or perceived foreign accent.

Another commenter stated that enforcement of the IFR would rely on the national origin of individuals under scrutiny by law enforcement officials, which would “undoubtedly lead to racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and detention of U.S. citizens and other individuals with lawful status.” This commenter wrote that U.S. citizens are already being racially profiled in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration and that the IFR would exacerbate this problem. This commenter and others cited examples of State-level “show me your papers” laws, such as Arizona Senate Bill 1070, the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act,” that resulted in lawsuits over the constitutionality of racial profiling against Latino and Asian Americans. Several commenters stated that there have been reports of Native Americans and other U.S. citizens who have been detained by immigration authorities due to racial profiling.

Another commenter stated that the IFR would exacerbate the problems that result from racial and ethnic profiling being a “cornerstone” of U.S. immigration enforcement, specifically citing the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE's) 287(g) Program Task Force Model, which “allows deputized officers to ask about immigration status of individuals stopped during routine traffic stops and make arrests based solely on federal immigration grounds.” A commenter wrote that discrimination on account of national origin should not be legal in the United States. Another commenter raised concern that the IFR would affect lawful immigrants and U.S. citizens. For example, providing an anecdotal account, a commenter wrote that U.S. citizens were arrested for speaking Spanish. A commenter stated that discrimination on account of national origin should not be legal in the United States and that the IFR did not have enough government-overreach-safeguards to pass constitutional muster. The commenter also stated that even if national security were at issue, it would not give the Federal Government a license to violate the rights of aliens. ( printed page 39278)

Another commenter wrote that the IFR's criminalization of alien status and the IFR's underlying racially discriminatory motive and “show-your-paper regime” would disproportionately harm “Black and Brown” and Latino communities, as well as communities of color generally, which are already disproportionately incarcerated and subjected to police stops, questioning, and searches. The commenter said that these policies would lead to a situation in which U.S. citizens of color would need to have proof of citizenship to avoid being swept into the enforcement and criminalization under the rule.

A commenter stated that while some may attempt to justify the implementation of the rule due to the necessity for increased vetting for the purposes of national security, the rule will necessarily rely on national origin, which will inevitably result in racial profiling and wrongful arrests and detention of U.S. citizens and lawfully present noncitizens including lawful permanent residents. The commenter stated that the alleged intent to discriminate based on national origin reflects political rhetoric against immigrant communities and racial prejudice, not a legitimate concern about national security or the U.S. public well-being. According to the commenter, E.O. 14159 “is inherently founded in race-based prejudice and its implementation through the IFR is based on the premise that immigrants that are not citizens are `invading' the United States. The commenter wrote that “[t]he misuse of a military term of war equates migrants, immigrants, and asylum seekers with a group incursion that is hostile and armed.” Another commenter stated that such an approach is also linked to political rhetoric against immigrant communities and racial prejudice, rather than legitimate national security or public concerns, referencing, as evidence, President Trump's statements, including claims about “bad genes” and immigrants “poisoning the blood of our country,” as well as an immigrant “invasion.”

Many commenters expressed concern that the rule would lead to racial profiling and civil rights violations that would undermine public safety. A commenter stated that the rule's criminal penalty for failing to carry “proof of registration” on one's person at all times encourages racial profiling and arbitrary searches, seizures, detention or arrest by immigration officials and law enforcement officers of individuals whom they perceive to be immigrants, including children and families.

Commenters stated that the IFR would create a “hostile environment” and target anyone perceived as foreign, and harm both aliens and U.S. citizens, leading to over-policing. Another couple of commenters wrote that the implementation of this rule would likely result in discriminatory searches and seizures, as well as wrongful arrests that would impact U.S. citizens and “non-citizens” alike.

A commenter wrote that the requirements of the IFR would disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, such as low-income immigrants and those with limited access to legal assistance. A commenter indicated that the IFR would instill fear in Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community members, preventing them from accessing schools, healthcare, employment, and other benefits. Similarly, a couple of commenters wrote that the IFR instills fear in or criminalizes integral members of the Asian and Pacific Islander community, who make up one in seven “undocumented immigrants,” and scapegoats them simply for their national origin, targets them for racial profiling, and makes compliance difficult due to high rates of limited English proficiency in these communities.

A commenter stated that the IFR did not account for the social and economic impacts that the IFR would have on minority communities, citing examples of alleged discriminatory immigration enforcement in New York. Another commenter wrote that immigration policy and enforcement reinforce harmful stereotypes and social inequities that impact all Latinos, regardless of their legal status; they added that although permanent residents have legal work authorization, they often encounter discrimination when seeking resources. A commenter stated that rural communities in California with disproportionate Latino farm workers are already being targeted for immigration enforcement, which the commenter said DHS falsely characterizes as targeting aliens with criminal records. Another commenter wrote that immigration policy and enforcement is a tool of white supremacy, reasoning that it limits access to resources, services, and opportunities among Latinos and other immigrants in the United States.

A commenter stated that the IFR and DHS conflate “undocumented” and unregistered “noncitizens” with gang members and criminals. The commenter stated that, while U.S. public safety and national security are important concerns, the rule stems from a misplaced and exaggerated focus on crime committed by “noncitizens.” The commenter referenced a January 21, 2025, DOJ memo that linked “transnational gangs” and “illegal aliens” to “brutal and intolerant violent crime” that is “escalating rapidly across the country.” The commenter said that this characterization fails to distinguish between misdemeanors and more serious criminal activities. The commenter wrote that individual violent crimes by “noncitizens” are often highlighted to justify actions like the passage of the Laken Riley Act, but suggested these incidents are presented without proper context regarding the actual level of crime committed by aliens. The commenter cited academic research suggesting that criminal activity by “noncitizens” is not disproportionate to the U.S. population at large.

Expressing a slightly different concern, a commenter wrote that the IFR fails to consider or take steps to safeguard against entrepreneurial burdens, taxpayer expenditures, and public safety costs. Further, another commenter wrote that the IFR would broaden DHS's ability to arbitrarily arrest and deport more asylum seekers to danger, adding that though DHS has no lawful right to deport U.S. citizens, this is likely to become a daily occurrence with the implementation of this IFR.

Similarly, a commenter opposed the proposed “noncitizen” registration policy, arguing it would lead to discriminatory law enforcement practices. The commenter stated that requiring “noncitizens” to carry registration documents at all times would create enforcement challenges, as DHS officers would have no practical way to identify who would be subject to this requirement without resorting to profiling.

Another commenter further wrote that the administration would employ arbitrary methods of identifying “noncitizens” under the policy. According to a commenter, while the IFR's stated purpose is to enhance law enforcement by DHS to protect public safety and reduce violent crime, it is important to remember that equal protection under the law means criminal activity is caused by individual actions, not group identity or status, with a different commenter stating that communities would be irreparably harmed by attempts to identify and detain suspected aliens.

A commenter expressed concern that enforcement practices can create fear even among lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens, which leads to ( printed page 39279) reduced participation in civil society. As an example, they cited a study on Arizona's stringent immigration laws and said that it found that such policies negatively impact Latino youths in particular. A commenter wrote that this process negates everything the United States should stand for and should not be “reinstated” in this country. Commenters also stated that the IFR's enforcement practices enable racial profiling and create fear and anxiety even among lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens. The commenters cited research on stringent immigration laws, specifically Arizona's Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, which found that policies promoting racial profiling negatively impact Latino youths' mental health and academic achievement. The commenters stated that while the IFR estimates the registration requirement would directly impact 2 to 3 million people, the racial profiling likely to occur would have detrimental effects on the broader population of over 63 million Latino residents in the United States.

A commenter voiced concern that without clear protections, the registration process could be misused to target certain populations unfairly, particularly with giving preference to immigrants from specific countries over others. While discussing allegedly discriminatory practices under the former NSEERS program, other commenters also stated that expanding alien registration requirements could once again lead to biased enforcement practices, eroding trust between immigrant communities and government agencies, dehumanizing immigrants, and infringing on aliens' basic rights.

Response: DHS strongly disagrees with the characterization of the IFR as linked to political rhetoric against immigrant communities and racial prejudice, rather than legitimate concerns of implementing a statutory mandate, as well as national and public security concerns. The laws of the United States generally require aliens to register—either as part of the visa process or upon being present in the United States for 30 days or more. The IFR and this final rule are limited in scope to establish a general registration option for aliens to comply, as applicable, with their statutory duty to register and to be fingerprinted. This rulemaking does not impose any new obligations on any population, or create disparate treatment motivated by racial prejudice. Similarly, the IFR and this rule do not create or modify the criminal penalties established by Congress many decades ago that apply when aliens fail to meet their registration and related obligations. The rule also does not oblige the removal of any alien from the country. The registration requirements apply to all aliens who are 14 years or older, have not been registered and fingerprinted, and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. If an alien does not have any other pathway to register and to be fingerprinted, the alien may file the Form G-325R to comply with their duty under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. The rule is expected to improve DHS law enforcement efficacy and to provide more comprehensive information about the location of aliens in the United States to make it easier and safer for DHS to enforce the law. The increased compliance with statutory fingerprinting requirements would provide DHS with additional information about an alien's criminal record, including whether the alien is a known or suspected terrorist. Finally, DHS reiterates that the alien registration requirements of the INA require aliens—not U.S. citizens—to register.

Comment: Two commenters objected to the use of the word “alien” in the IFR as offensive and subjective, as well as inaccurate and suggested, as part of providing safeguards, to change the term.

Response: The term “alien” is a legal term defined in the INA that is used to describe any person who is not a citizen or national of the United States.[39] Moreover, the term alien is used in sections 261 through 266 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1301 through 1306, the sections that describe the alien registration requirements.

Comment: A commenter said the comprehensive registration policy that was established in the Alien Registration Act of 1940 was abandoned in the decades following its adoption due, in part, to its social and economic costs, and stated that the enforcement of this registration policy would fail to achieve the goals of the administration while leading to discriminatory targeting of U.S. citizens and “noncitizens” based on their perceived race or ethnicity.

While discussing discriminatory practices under the former NSEERS program, another commenter remarked that expanding alien registration requirements could once again lead to biased enforcement practices, eroding trust between immigrant communities and government agencies.

Response: This rule is consistent with E.O. 14159 and the alien registration requirements in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. This rulemaking establishes a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens, regardless of immigration status, to improve the registration outcomes of certain groups of aliens. This rulemaking does not change or modify the existing statutory requirements that most aliens must comply with the existing statutory registration requirements.

Comment: Multiple comments expressed a general concern that the IFR would violate equal protection rights guaranteed under the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause. Citing to case law from the Supreme Court,[40] commenters indicated that the rule would disproportionately impact aliens from low-income, non-English-speaking communities and that it, therefore, may violate equal protection and should be subject to strict scrutiny. A commenter warned that the IFR raises equal protection concerns because its complex requirements would be overwhelming and confusing for aliens with limited formal education or English proficiency. Commenters expressed particular concern for equal protection violations and racial profiling resulting from the IFR's implicit “show your papers” requirement.

A commenter indicated that the IFR would violate equal protection principles because Form G-325R is only available in English, remarking that while a plaintiff must prove a discriminatory purpose to prove in an equal protection claim and the IFR is facially neutral, the administration has made statements and taken other actions, such as declaring English as the official U.S. language, that would support the contention that the government elected not to translate Form G-325R as part of larger scheme to limit language access in government services.

A commenter stated that while there are bona fide arguments for government interest in information about residents, the IFR would create a disproportionate and deleterious burden on aliens subject to its terms, and therefore exceeds that government interest, crossing into equal protection violations. ( printed page 39280)

Response: DHS disagrees that this rule violates equal protection. Section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, is a facially neutral law, requiring “ every alien now or hereafter in the United States, who (1) is fourteen years of age or older, (2) has not been registered and fingerprinted under [section 211(b) of the INA], and (3) remains in the United States for thirty days or longer, to apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of such thirty days.” 8 U.S.C. 1302(a) (emphasis added). This rule likewise creates an additional mechanism by which any previously unregistered alien may comply with his or her statutory duty regardless of the alien's country of nationality.[41] It thus does not violate equal protection.

Comment: Several commenters expressed a general concern that the IFR would lead to violations of Fourth Amendment rights, such as arbitrary searches and seizures of U.S. citizens and aliens alike. A commenter stated that the IFR's implementation without clear and narrowly tailored enforcement guidelines would increase the risk of Fourth Amendment violations, as officers may stop and detain individuals without reasonable suspicion or probable cause solely to verify registration status. This commenter reasoned that this would create an unconstitutional presumption of illegality tied to race, a practice long rejected by Federal courts.

Response: DHS disagrees that the IFR would lead to violations of an alien's Fourth Amendment rights. Congress has long required aliens described in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, to register and be fingerprinted (if required) as well as carry evidence of registration and notify DHS of a change in address, and it is the duty of DHS to carry out those laws. See INA sec. 103(a), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a); seeE.O. No. 14159 sec. 7, Protecting the American People Against Invasion (Jan. 20, 2025), 90 FR 8443, 8444 (Jan. 29, 2025). The goal of the IFR and final rule is to ensure that aliens understand their duty under the law and have a path to comply with that duty through the new general registration process and form. The IFR has not changed the existing authority provided to DHS on engagement with aliens.

Comment: A commenter raised concerns that causing “undocumented people” to live in fear of both potential consequences in their country of origin and “cruel treatment” from ICE could constitute a violation of their Eighth Amendment rights. Another commenter expressed concern that the IFR would lead to inhumane and illegal extraterritorial or indefinite imprisonment. A commenter stated that the penalties aliens would face under the IFR for noncompliance are disproportionate to the alleged offense, particularly where the violation is technical or inadvertent. Citing Trop v. Dulles, 356 U.S. 86 (1958), which found that punishment must be proportionate to the offense, the commenter concluded that the IFR violates this principle by imposing penalties for procedural or technical violations, which the commenter said would constitute cruel and unusual punishment.

Response: Congress has established civil and criminal penalties for a variety of offenses relating to immigration. While certain aliens may be afraid of being subjected to the penalties connected to their choices and actions, this rule does not establish any such consequences or offenses. This rule also has no impact on the constitutional protections available to aliens within the United States. The criminal penalties for failure to register or meet the other associated requirements under sections 262 through 265 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302-1305, were established by Congress and also fall outside the scope of this rule.

Comment: A commenter wrote that the information collected by this registration information cannot be used by ICE under existing law and regulation, for its enforcement actions because under 8 U.S.C. 1357(f)(2), ICE is a civil enforcement body, not a law enforcement agency. The commenter also stated that the IFR does not contain any designations by the Attorney General to expand the persons with whom registration and fingerprint records may be shared, as required under 8 U.S.C. 1304(b).

Response: For approximately 85 years, the laws of the United States have required most aliens present in the United States for 30 days or longer to register and, with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted. DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not changed the existing statutory registration requirements or established by Congress for aliens but merely prescribed a general means for aliens to register, as required by law. The requirements that aliens are required to register, update his or her address with the government within 10 days of moving, and carry evidence of registration on their person, were also established by Congress in the middle of the 20th century. Similarly, this IFR has not created or modified the criminal penalties established by Congress many decades ago that apply when aliens fail to meet their registration and related obligations. This rule is consistent with E.O. 14159 and the alien registration requirements in sections 262 through 265 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1305, and establishes a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status.

In regard to the comment addressing sharing of information pursuant to section 264(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(b), DHS disagrees with the commenter's view that registration and fingerprint records cannot be shared within DHS for immigration enforcement purposes, as well as the commenter's view that ICE is not a law enforcement agency in general.

Moreover, under section 264(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(b), all registration and fingerprint records “shall be confidential, and shall be made available only”: (1) pursuant to section 287(f)(2) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1357(f)(2) ( i.e., the provision cited by the commenter); and (2) to such persons or agencies as may be designated by the Secretary.[42] The statute does not direct USCIS alone to register aliens and prescribe registration forms, or to hold alien registration records confidential. The statute vests these authorities in the Secretary, in whom all authorities of USCIS, ICE, and other DHS components are vested.[43] It would make little sense to interpret the confidentiality provision to require the Secretary to hold alien registration information confidential as against ICE and CBP, which are subagencies within DHS, particularly in light of the Secretary's plenary authority to make alien registration and fingerprint records available “to such ( printed page 39281) persons or agencies” as he may designate.

In any event, the IFR did not change DHS practices related to the maintenance, collection, and use of the information, including alien registration information; such information was available to ICE and CBP even before the IFR.[44]

Comment: Several commenters expressed general concern that the IFR would violate individuals' privacy rights. A commenter reasoned that mandatory registration, including current addresses, poses threats to privacy rights guaranteed by the Privacy Act of 1974 and Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479 (1965). The commenter remarked that fears of excessive surveillance have repeatedly led to the deferral or rejection of universal registration mandates, including the long-running delays in the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (REAL ID Act).[45] The commenter added that the privacy concerns are heightened because the IFR makes no exception for registration requirements based on age, only procedural allowances for aliens under the age of 14. The commenter said that the inadequate privacy protection for this information raises considerations for the safety of both minors and survivors of domestic abuse.

A commenter stated that the IFR is silent on privacy and confidentiality protections associated with the registration requirement, remarking that any DHS disclosures of information collected under the IFR must comply with 8 U.S.C. 1367 and related guidance.

A commenter expressed concern that the IFR does not provide clear information regarding its privacy impact or how it comports with existing law, including 8 U.S.C. 1367 and related guidance such as DHS Instruction 002-02-001, Revision 00.1; DHS Directive 215-01; DHS Instruction 215-01-001; and DHS Instruction 215-01-002. The commenter remarked that the lack of clarity would make it difficult for individuals, including those subject to 8 U.S.C. 1367 protections or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, to fully understand how their information would be used and shared in compliance with existing law.

Response: Aliens submitting G-325R do not qualify as protected aliens under 8 U.S.C. 1367, by virtue of such filing; however, if the alien is otherwise designated as a protected alien on another basis, USCIS maintains the same protection for the alien, including for the safe address. Form G-325R provides fields for the alien's mailing or safe address, and if different from his or her mailing or safe address, the alien's physical address. As with all USCIS forms in which an alien may provide a safe address, if USCIS contacts the alien through the mail, USCIS will use the safe address that he or she provides. However, the G-325R process is entirely electronic at this time. All notices sent from USCIS to an alien are uploaded to the alien's myUSCIS account. None of the notices correlating to Form G-325R are issued via mail. Therefore, not only may aliens provide a safe address, consistent with longstanding USCIS practice, USCIS does not at this time send any documents through the mail in connection with Form G-325R.

This rule also does not change any procedures or practices of DHS and its subagencies to protect against the unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information that DHS collects, disseminates, uses, or maintains.

Comment: A commenter stated that the financial and criminal penalties created by the IFR, related to the requirement to register and update addresses, would threaten individuals' freedom of movement, a right affirmed by the Supreme Court in Paul v. Virginia, 8 Wall. 168 (1868), and Saenz v. Roe, 526 U.S. 489 (1999). With respect to the statement in the IFR's preamble that “any alien who has failed to comply with the change-of-address notification requirements of 8 U.S.C. 1305 is deportable unless the alien establishes that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful” (citing 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(3)(A)), the commenter stated that this discussion is insufficient because it “provides no framework by which this clause may be interpreted by either registrants or federal officials, exposing registrants to undue subjectivity.”

Response: This IFR neither restricts an alien's freedom of movement [46] nor creates or modifies the criminal penalties, established by Congress many decades ago, that apply when aliens failed to meet their registration and related obligations. The requirements that aliens are required to register, update their address with the government within 10 days of moving, and carry evidence of registration on their person are also not new. DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not created these requirements or modified the duties established by Congress for aliens. Providing a current address to DHS is the responsibility of each covered alien.

Comment: Citing Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, INS v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919 (1983), and Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), a commenter stated that the IFR violates the separation of powers doctrine, and that regulations that significantly affect immigrants' rights should be grounded in congressional legislation, not solely in administrative rulemaking.

Response: The IFR is firmly grounded in congressional legislation; it implemented the alien registration requirements of sections 262 through 266 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1306. Additionally, section 103(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1103(a), as well as the registration provisions cited previously, provide broad statutory authorization to implement these registration requirements. These laws are duly enacted by Congress. DHS disagrees with the commenters that the IFR suffers from any separation-of-powers defect.

Comment: A commenter stated that the IFR would violate U.S. international legal obligations to refugees and asylum seekers, obligations stemming from the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees that have been implemented in domestic U.S. law through the Refugee ( printed page 39282) Act of 1980 and that have been interpreted by the Supreme Court in INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca, 480 U.S. 421, 426 (1987). The commenter remarked that, internationally, registration requirements are intended to facilitate the protection of refugees but that the IFR appears to intend to use registration as a method to target individuals for removal. The commenter wrote that E.O. 14159's purported aim is to “faithfully executing the immigration laws of the United States,” but it does not acknowledge that those laws include the Refugee Act, and that such faithful execution includes providing asylum and other humanitarian protections as appropriate. The commenter criticized the IFR, stating that it fails to take such protections into account.

More specifically, the commenter cited Article 31(1) of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which establishes that refugees generally may not be penalized for their illegal entry or presence when they come directly from territories where their life or freedom is threatened, present themselves without delay to the authorities, and show good cause for their irregular entry or presence save under certain specified circumstances. Stating that the IFR lacks clarity with respect to whether and how it applies to aliens who are asylees, asylum applicants, and people with protection needs who have not yet applied for asylum, and that it makes no provision for consideration of their individual circumstances, the commenter concluded that the IFR's civil and criminal penalties, if applied to refugees, would generally constitute such impermissible penalties according to international law. Finally, the commenter expressed concern that the registration requirement could lead directly to refugees being removed in violation of non-refoulement requirements, or, for aliens who are in or have completed the asylum application process, that registration noncompliance penalties could lead to either a negative discretionary asylum determination or interfere later with their adjustment of status or naturalization.

Other commenters stated that the IFR would infringe on human rights through arbitrary interference with privacy, family, and home law. The commenters noted inadequate information on safeguarding confidential information. While acknowledging the government's authority to regulate immigration, the commenters characterized the IFR as an effort to intimidate aliens that risks violating human rights.

Response: The IFR and this rule are limited in scope to establish a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. An alien who has been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b) has already registered, and an alien who has submitted one of the forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and provided fingerprints (unless waived), but was not issued one of the evidence of registration designated at 8 CFR 264.1(b), has complied with the registration requirement of section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. If an alien does not have any other pathway to register and to be fingerprinted, the alien may file the Form G-325R to comply with their duty under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302.

Moreover, neither the 1951 Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol preclude state parties from requiring refugees to register with immigration authorities. Indeed, Article 2 of the Convention states, “Every refugee has duties to the country in which he finds himself, which require in particular that he conform to its laws and regulations as well as to measures taken for the maintenance of public order.” And the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) encourages the prompt registration of aliens seeking refugee protection.[47]

Comment: Several commenters expressed concern that the rule and the new registration process creates confusion surrounding who is required to register and who is exempt. Commenters stated that the IFR and registration requirements caused confusion and lacked clarity and, therefore, the IFR would lead to errors and result in legal immigrants being wrongly penalized for not carrying proof of registration. Commenters similarly expressed concern that the rule is confusing about who is considered registered and lacks clarity for individuals who have already filed immigration forms and may have attended USCIS biometrics appointments.

Another commenter wrote that the “confusing” nature of the IFR, coupled with the anxiety and fear, driven by the administration's enhanced immigration enforcement efforts, could lead to the spread of misinformation, with “drastic” consequences even for individuals not subject to the requirement. The commenter wrote that the combination of confusion on how to register with the sudden removal of legal status is entrapment. Other commenters stated that increased bureaucratic hurdles may discourage or complicate compliance. A couple of commenters stated that the IFR adds unnecessary complexity to an already complex immigration system. A commenter wrote that the IFR creates confusion and fear, particularly for immigrants who may already be considered registered through other processes. Another commenter echoed that the IFR creates confusion among those who believe they have already submitted proof of registration, and the omission of certain common immigration documents within the IFR exacerbates the potential for confusion. A commenter stated that, by imposing registration requirements with criminal penalties for noncompliance, it treats immigrants as enforcement targets, regardless of their legal status or history.

A commenter expressed concern that the IFR's approach to immigration forms for registration requirements was inadequate and would create stress, fear, and confusion among lawfully present individuals who should be considered registered. The commenter additionally stated that they had heard from community members that unscrupulous actors were exploiting this confusion by promising permanent residency through the registration process and deliberately conflating “Registry” with “Registration” to defraud vulnerable individuals.

Specifically, commenters expressed concern that it would be difficult for individuals to accurately assess whether they have previously registered because of the lack of guidance in the IFR, and, therefore, would lead to individuals failing to file Form G-325R. Commenters expressed particular concern about the enumerated lists of registration forms and forms that constitute evidence of registration; commenters stated that these lists of forms do not include all forms that would appear to meet the threshold requirements for registration and fingerprints as prescribed in the INA. A commenter said that those who have submitted lengthy and detailed immigration application forms and undergone fingerprinting and biometrics would reasonably believe that they are already registered. ( printed page 39283)

A commenter wrote that individuals may not know whether their admission at a U.S. border was pursuant to parole or not, and they may not have an easy way to tell whether an NTA was issued to them, given the wide variation in case processing at the southern U.S. border. The commenter said that its members and clients generally do not know which documents were issued to them at the border and many have lost their documents by the time they reach their place of residence. The commenter raised additional concerns about confusion stating, for instance, that not all of their members who were issued NTAs were fingerprinted in the process. They said that the rule's suggestion that they do not need to do anything else to be considered “registered” leaves no guidance and questions about whether they also need to comply with the fingerprinting requirement. The commenter raised the same question for individuals who submit Form I-485 and for whom it is unclear whether they were previously fingerprinted or if any prior fingerprinting, potentially decades ago, is sufficient for purposes of the registration. Other commenters said that opaque language in the IFR makes the requirements difficult to understand, particularly for those with DACA or TPS status who are technically registered with the U.S. Government but would have to re-register only if they did not have a work permit.

Response: To the extent that confusion exists regarding whether a given alien has met their registration obligations, the IFR is not responsible for such confusion, and may in fact help abate it. The IFR helped ensure that all aliens have a straightforward way to comply with their alien registration obligations. The IFR did not create alien registration obligations or impose new consequences on aliens for failing to meet those obligations; the requirement to register, the requirement to carry evidence of registration, and the consequences for failing to do so are all creatures of statute. And the President directed DHS and DOJ to prioritize full implementation and enforcement of the law. If an alien was unsure about their registration status prior to the IFR or had lost documents necessary to comply with the alien registration requirements of the INA, the alien might today see a need to clarify his or her registration status or seek a replacement document; but that is not a function of the IFR.

In addition to the IFR that publicized the legal obligation of unregistered aliens in the United States to comply with the registration requirements, USCIS established a dedicated website with information on the ARR and created an ARR Tool that may help aliens determine whether they must register.48

In principle, DHS agrees that if an application form contains the data elements for alien registration described in 8 U.S.C. 1304(a) and the alien has satisfied relevant fingerprinting requirements, DHS should consider designating such application form and related evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(a) and (b). In section V.A of this preamble, DHS seeks comment on a number of potential forms that DHS may designate at a future date.

Comment: A commenter similarly wrote that the Department failed to consider the effects of the IFR on the broader pool of aliens who have registered, leaving a “troubling array of practical issues unaddressed.” The commenter questioned whether LPRs would be required to carry a physical copy of their Green Card at all times, or whether a photocopy would suffice. The commenter further questioned what individuals should do if a Green Card is lost or stolen, as processing times for replacing a Green Card are over 2 years. Additionally, the commenter asked whether those deemed registered by submitting a benefits application, such as a Form I-485, would be required to always carry a copy of the 24-page application on their person. Additionally, for those whose registration hinges on their having been placed into immigration court removal proceedings, the commenter asked whether they must carry a copy of an NTA, even if those proceedings concluded years or decades ago.

Response: The IFR did not change the requirement that aliens issued evidence of registration carry such evidence on their person. The IFR filled a gap in the regulation by adding a general option for unregistered aliens who previously did not have a straightforward way to comply with the existing statutory registration requirements. Such aliens may register using the Form G-325R and carry a copy of the USCIS Proof of Alien G-325R Registration, or its successor form.

The IFR had no effects on LPRs, because LPRs are considered registered and are issued a permanent resident card as evidence of registration.[49] Such persons are not affected by the IFR's prescribing of the Form G-325R as a registration form. DHS notes that, as required by statute, LPRs 18 years of age or older must carry their evidence of registration on their person. See INA sec. 264(e), 8 U.S.C. 1304(e). If an LPR's permanent resident card is lost or stolen and the LPR files the Form I-90 to replace his or her card, the LPR could obtain temporary evidence of LPR status, such as an Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp (also known as an I-551 stamp). See8 CFR 264.5(h). DHS agencies have access to DHS databases, which contain information regarding a pending Form I-90. Similarly, DHS agencies have access to DHS database to confirm a pending adjustment of status application and whether an alien has been fingerprinted as part of that application.

If an alien's evidence of registration is the Form I-862, Notice to Appear, the alien must carry that evidence of registration and always have that evidence in their personal possession as required by the law. See8 U.S.C. 1304(e); 8 CFR 264.1(b). But that requirement is not a function of this rule; it is a function of the alien registration requirements of the INA and longstanding regulations.

Comment: Multiple commenters discussed the legal implications of applying registration requirements to minors. Commenters said the application of the IFR to minors would raise numerous concerns and “belies the outdated nature of the law on which this rule is based.” These commenters remarked that in the decades since the Alien Registration Act was written, our understanding of childhood and adolescence has evolved, including intervening law that recognizes the unique, significant vulnerabilities and differences of children. To support their position on the IFR's perceived departure from the prevailing law and science of childhood and adolescence, commenters cited examples of case law, such as Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005); In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967); and Matter of Devison, 22 I&N Dec. 1362 (BIA 2000). A commenter, echoing these remarks, said that immigration law has long recognized a distinction between juvenile and adult law, and children have not been held to the same standards as adults.

Multiple commenters wrote that requiring children between the ages of 14 and 18 years old to register and be fingerprinted runs contrary to longstanding norms in the U.S. legal system. The commenters wrote that juvenile justice experts agree that ( printed page 39284) juvenile justice policies and stakeholders should avoid exposing youth to the criminal juvenile justice system. Thus, the commenters reasoned, expecting that a child of middle- or high-school age would be aware of, understand, and complete the complex process and implications of registration with the Federal Government or face exposure to the U.S. criminal juvenile system for failure to comply would be “unduly burdensome and harsh, as well as inappropriate and unfounded.” A commenter, citing the Juvenile Delinquency Act and 18 U.S.C. 5031 and 5032, remarked that while States determine their own age of majority, under Federal law, individuals under 18 are typically considered too young to bear full criminal responsibility and are generally processed through State juvenile courts, with adult prosecution occurring only in specific circumstances involving violent crimes. The commenter expressed concern that violations of registration and biometric requirements could potentially classify children as “juvenile delinquents” for failing to comply with administrative regulations they may not fully understand. The commenter pointed out that for alien minors aged 14 to 18, compliance with registration requirements assumes these adolescents have complete knowledge of their immigration status and can independently take legal action. The commenter concluded that channeling alien children into juvenile or Federal court systems as a consequence of noncompliance with registration and biometric requirements could potentially compromise children's wellbeing and place inappropriate legal burdens on minors.

A commenter stated that the registration requirements under the IFR would negatively impact children's safety, health and well-being, and their family integrity. The commenter suggested that this would defy universal standards found in State courts as well as multiple aspects of immigration law, which consider a child's best interests. Specifically, the commenter wrote that all 50 States and the District of Columbia require courts to consider a child's best interests ( e.g., the child's safety and well-being; expressed interests; health; and their rights to family integrity, liberty, development, and identity) in decisions about the child's custody, placement, or other critical life issues. While providing detailed remarks and examples, including Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) guidance requiring immigration judges to “employ age-appropriate procedures whenever a juvenile respondent or witness is present in the courtroom,” the commenter stated that this same awareness of what is best for children is not reflected in the IFR.

Response: Congress, by the express terms of section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, intended that the ARR apply to aliens 14 years of age or older. It is the duty of DHS to administer and enforce that law. See INA sec. 103(a)(1), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(1); seeE.O. 14159 sec. 7, 90 FR 8443 (Jan. 20, 2025). As explained in the IFR, the IFR did not impose any new registration or fingerprinting obligations separate from the obligations already contained in the INA, including for children who turn 14 years of age. Parents and legal guardians of aliens under the age of 14, not the children themselves, must ensure that those alien children are registered.

Comment: Commenters expressed concern that the IFR would subject children to “invasive” reporting requirements. Another commenter similarly wrote that the requirement that non-U.S. citizens aged 14 and older register, provide fingerprints, and list their current address is an “overstep.” The commenter reasoned that children's rights should be protected by the law, and many aliens are already registered ( e.g., via Form I-94, an EAD, or nonimmigrant or immigrant visa). Thus, the commenter concluded, this policy would not provide any additional protection, but, instead, would encroach on the rights of children and produce fear.

Numerous commenters regarded reporting requirements for minors as inappropriate or unnecessary. Many commenters said it is not developmentally appropriate to expect children ages 14 to 18 to understand and fulfill the requirement to register and be fingerprinted or to safeguard or always carry proof of registration on their person. Commenters stated that the IFR holds children to unrealistically high standard, and that children as young as 14 cannot be expected to understand and fulfill the registration requirement or carry proof of registration—nor can they be expected to be aware of the need to register, in addition to the consequential implications of noncompliance. Another commenter generally remarked that children should not be treated as adults, regardless of their immigration status.

A commenter cited research on the development of children and adolescents and said it would be “unfair and unwise” to place such a consequential requirement on children, based on what is known about their development. Other commenters cited numerous scientific studies and standards within the Federal Sentencing Commission to demonstrate that the brains of children and adolescents have not developed fully in a way that provides them the necessary reasoning skills to comply with the registration requirements or meaningfully calculate the long-term effects of certain actions.

Another commenter likewise wrote that the age limit for the unaccompanied minors program illustrates the government's understanding that 18 years old is a reasonable threshold at which to expect that a child is capable of handling their affairs independently. Thus, the commenter concluded, the IFR's application to 14-year-olds ignores the modern understanding of adolescence and a teenager's ability to understand not only the process but also the repercussions of violating the registration requirement. A commenter, similarly raising developmental concerns for minors subject to the IFR, further reasoned that for adults, the choices and consequences presented by the IFR are difficult enough to fully understand; to expect children to make such a decision would be “unconscionable.”

Multiple commenters similarly expressed concern that the information required for registration may be unavailable or incomprehensible to minors, and specifically, commenters remarked that children 14 years or older may have been very young when they entered the United States and may not easily be able to access their immigration history, such as their date of arrival. Another commenter explained that questions regarding immigration history, dates of entry, and parental information may be difficult for children to know or recall, and questions about criminal history may be misunderstood by a child, including children who have been exploited or trafficked by criminal actors.

Commenters additionally wrote that the Form G-325R asks complex questions that minors would be unlikely to comprehend, such as questions about past and future activities in the United States. A commenter reasoned that the registration process is highly complex, leaving “no room for errors or gaps”; however, the commenter said, as many of those completing the form would be minors and may have limited English proficiency, such errors could result in serious consequences for that population. ( printed page 39285)

A commenter stated that questions regarding immigration history, dates of entry, and parental information may be difficult for children to know or recall, and questions about criminal history may be misunderstood by a child, including children who have been exploited or trafficked by criminal actors, potentially abridging children's legal rights. The commenter said that many of these questions may be duplicative of information requested on applications for legal relief that a child may already have on file with the government.

A commenter, expressing concerns about impacts of the rule on minors, wrote that the IFR provides no provisions for developmentally appropriate information or guidance related to the many mandatory questions on Form G-325R. A commenter similarly noted that for children under 14 and their guardians, there is a lack of age-specific instruction or accommodation, increasing the risk of mistaken noncompliance.

A commenter wrote that requiring immigrant minors to register with the Federal Government could lead to unnecessary fiscal and health costs, while exposing minors to targeting, arrests, and detention.

Response: DHS notes that many aliens are already registered and, thus, are not directly affected by this IFR or the new general registration option. The statute requires, with limited exceptions, that all aliens over the age 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted, if required, before the expiration of 30 days. Similarly, parents and legal guardians of aliens below the age of 14 must ensure that those aliens are registered. Within 30 days of an alien reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted. DHS, with the IFR and final rule, has not changed the existing statutory registration requirements established by Congress for aliens. It is within Congress' control and its policy choice to change the statutory registration requirement.

With regard to the complexity of questions on the Form G-325R, aliens who are 14 years or older already receive service of notices to initiate removal proceedings, and must sign their own applications for immigration benefits. See8 CFR 103.2(a)(2), 103.8(c)(2)(ii). The questions on the Form G-325R are similar to the questions asked on other registration forms in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. With regard to aliens under 14 years of age, the parent or legal guardian has the duty to register aliens under 14, using an USCIS online account that the parent or legal guardian creates for the alien child.

Additionally, aliens under the age of 18 are not forced to carry proof of registration at all times. The statutory carry requirement under section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e) applies only to aliens 18 years of age and over in the United States, including but not limited to those who register using this new process. The statute does not require children under the age of 18 to carry proof of the registration.

Comment: A different commenter suggested that the application of the IFR to minors is misguided. The commenter questioned how fingerprinting migrant children falls under “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” and requested statistics of crimes committed by migrant children in the United States. The commenter further questioned why a child would need fingerprinting as they are being placed into foster care and asked whether the same is done with naturalized children.

Response: The statute requires most aliens over the age of 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer are required to apply for registration and with some exceptions based on age or nonimmigrant status, be fingerprinted. This rule is consistent with the requirements outlined in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 and E.O. 14159 and simply prescribe a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not created or modified the statutory requirements of an alien's duty to register with the government under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. DHS has an obligation to faithfully execute the laws established by Congress, including the alien registration requirement. See INA sec. 103(a), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a). The IFR established a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status.

Comment: Commenters also expressed concern that children who are forced to carry proof of registration at all times could be marginalized and separated from their citizen peers, which a commenter said would have detrimental developmental impacts.

Response: DHS disagrees with the characterization and the impact described by commenters. Aliens under the age of 18 are not forced to always carry proof of registration. The statutory carry requirement under section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e) applies only to aliens 18 years of age and over in the United States, including but not limited to those who register using this new process. The statute does not require children under the age of 18 to carry proof of the registration.

Comment: A commenter asked whether children under 14 years of age who enter the United States on a visa are required to re-register under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, including the new requirement to register and be fingerprinted when they turn 14 years old.

Response: The statute, with limited exceptions, requires that within 30 days of an alien reaching his or her 14th birthday, all previously registered aliens must apply for re-registration and be fingerprinted. See INA sec. 262(b), 8 U.S.C. 1302(b).

Comment: A commenter criticized the IFR as confusing, questioned the applicability of the biometrics requirement to minors under 14, and wrote that border authorities reportedly issued a policy providing for the collection of biometrics from all minors, despite the waiver in the IFR for those under 14.

Response: The statute requires parents and legal guardians of aliens under the age of 14 to register those aliens. These aliens are not required to appear for a biometric services appointment to register, and USCIS will provide evidence of registration after the parent or legal guardian complies with the registration requirement. The collection of biometrics by CBP is outside the scope of the rule.

Comment: A commenter stated the IFR is replete with ambiguities that require more clarification from DHS, including the extent to which the registration requirements are retroactive, and whether they cover people who entered the United States more than 30 days before the IFR was published or takes effect, or whether they cover children subject to registration upon turning 14 who turned 14 more than 30 days before the IFR was published or takes effect. The commenter said, if it is not retroactive, then it is unclear whether DHS is setting the applicability date at the IFR publication date of March 12, 2025, or the IFR effective date of April 11, 2025.

Response: DHS, with the IFR and this final rule, has not created new requirements or modified the legal obligations that most aliens who are in the United States for 30 days or longer to comply with the registration requirements. This rulemaking has ( printed page 39286) established a general registration option to ensure that all aliens have a way to register. The IFR had an effective date of April 11, 2025, and thus provided sufficient notice again of the enforcement priority pursuant to President Trump's directing on the enforcement priority. See90 FR 11793 (Mar. 12, 2025); see also DHS, Press Release, “Secretary Noem Reminds Foreign Nationals to Register under Longstanding Federal Law or Face Legal Penalties” (Apr. 11, 2025), https://www.dhs.gov/​news/​2025/​04/​11/​secretary-noem-reminds-foreign-nationals-register-or-face-legal-penalties. In any event, many months have passed since the IFR's publication.

Comment: Commenters stated that children under the age of 14 who were issued an immigrant or a nonimmigrant visa were already registered pursuant to section 221 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1201 and should not have to register again.

Response: DHS agrees that an alien who has not turned 14 years old and was issued an immigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa prior to admission to the United States is considered registered under section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302. However, these aliens will have to re-register and be fingerprinted within 30 days after reaching 14 years of age, in accordance with section 262(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(b).

Comment: A commenter stated that it is unclear whether all children who received Form I-551 while under the age of 14 are exempt from the process as long as they comply with the existing rule that they file a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, within 30 days of turning 14 to apply for a new Green Card.

The commenter also asked whether children who do not file a Form I-90 within 30 days of turning 14 because their current Green Card expires before they turn 16, would need to complete Form G-325R when they turn 14. These children are using the regulatory exception that allows them not to submit a Form I-90 (and be fingerprinted) until they file their routine Green Card extension application within 6 months of the card's expiration.

Response: DHS notes that in accordance with 8 CFR 264.1(g), an alien who reaches 14 years of age and who is an LPR must apply for registration and to be fingerprinted, unless waived. See INA sec. 262(a), 8 U.S.C. 1302(a); see8 CFR 264.1(g). As noted in the Form I-90 instructions, such an alien submits the Form I-90 to comply with his or her duty to register with the government under the statute.[50] Such an alien would not submit the Form G-325R. DHS is also soliciting comments in section V of this preamble on updating the regulatory text in 8 CFR 264.5(b)(8) to align with section 262(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(b), which requires aliens who turn 14 to register irrespective of whether they were registered previously. The instructions of Form I-90 are clear on this point, and accurate.

Comment: A few commenters addressed ambiguities in the IFR's discussion of the provisions for minors. The commenters noted that the rule states in one section that if children have one of the forms listed, they “need not register again,” while in another section, the rule states that all “noncitizen” children must register when they turn 14, whether previously registered or not. A couple of these commenters quoted the rule, stating that while the IFR explains that someone “who has previously registered consistent with 8 CFR 264.1(a), or. . .who has evidence of registration consistent with 8 CFR 264.1(b), need not register again,” it elsewhere states that affected populations include a “noncitizen” “whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States and therefore must register within 30 days after their 14th birthday.”

Response: The statute requires aliens under the age of 14 who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer to be registered by their parents or legal guardians before the expiration of the 30 days. There is no fingerprint requirement for the registration of these aliens under the age of 14. USCIS and the former INS have consistently implemented the plain language of section 262(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(b) (for example, in the context of LPRs turning 14 years of age) over the years. The broad language of the second sentence of section 262(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(b) (“whenever any alien attains his fourteenth birthday in the United States he shall”) compels such aliens to register again and to be fingerprinted (unless waived) within 30 days after their 14th birthday. This requirement has been in place in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(b), without amendment by Congress, since the ARR was initially placed in the INA in 1952. Indeed, the requirement (using this language) initially appeared in the Alien Registration Act of 1940, Public Law 76-670.

Comment: A commenter said the IFR does not address how the enumerated criminal penalties would be assessed to children who may not be able to meet the requirements to register or maintain proof of registration.

Commenters noted that the rule is silent on the implications for a child who is not living with a parent or legal guardian, or who lives with one who is abusive or neglectful and does not register on the child's behalf.

Response: DHS notes that the alien registration requirement, including the provisions relating to children under 14 years of age, those who have recently turned 14 years of age within the United States, or those 14 years of age or older, as well as the related criminal penalties, has been a part of our laws since 1940. The IFR and the final rule add another method for compliance with the existing statutory registration requirements. This IFR did not create or modify the obligations and consequences related to the registration requirement, including the criminal penalties. The registration requirement was established by Congress many decades ago and is thus a longstanding legal requirement. While DHS defers to its partners at the DOJ regarding the enforcement of the criminal provisions, DHS notes that for children under 14 years of age, the children themselves face no criminal penalties for a failure or refusal to register, but rather the parents and or the legal guardians could face criminal penalties. For those 14 years of age or older, DHS notes that only a “willful” failure or refusal to register is penalized in section 266(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1306(a).

Comment: A commenter said that the IFR does not consider how law enforcement implementing the carry requirement would distinguish between children under 18 and youth 18 and over. The commenter asked whether this implicitly imposes a separate carry requirement for adolescent children subject to registration to always carry proof of their age on their person and asked what kind of proof of age would suffice.

Response: DHS notes that the IFR and this rule have not changed procedures related to the carry requirements under section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e). The comments regarding the enforcement of section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e) is out of scope of this rulemaking. In general, however, DHS agencies enforcing the carry requirement have access to DHS ( printed page 39287) databases, which contain not only information about whether DHS has issued evidence of registration to a specific alien, but also the alien's age. Additionally, aliens under the age of 18 are not forced to carry proof of registration at all times. The statutory carry requirement under section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e) applies only to aliens 18 years of age and over in the United States, including but not limited to those who register using this new process. The statute does not require children under the age of 18 to carry proof of the registration.

Comment: While citing reports and anecdotal evidence, a commenter additionally expressed concern that uncertainty about registration requirements could expose minors to potential abuse. Specifically, the commenter said that a “universal registration requirement” for aliens as proposed under the IFR would increase the vectors by which bad actors impersonating Federal agents can exploit vulnerable migrants, particularly minors, while simultaneously hindering compliance with registration requirements.

A commenter expressed concern that questioning “undocumented” minors as young as 14 years old would provide an avenue to incarcerate them, adding that detention facilities are detrimental to mental and physical health and even fatal.

A commenter expressed safety concerns related to the registration requirement for parents and legal guardians while discussing the risks of family safety and stability. The commenter expressed concern with family separation under the IFR, stating that by subjecting parents who fail to register or who lack proof of registration to detention or criminal prosecution, the IFR would institutionalize family separation and psychological harm to children. The commenter added that the IFR requires parents to volunteer information about their children that could expose their children to immigration enforcement, including detention and deportation, impacting the authority of parents to direct the education, nurture, and supervision of their children. The commenter concluded that these impacts on family well-being, autonomy and integrity would violate section 654 of the Treasury General Appropriations Act of 1999.

Response: As stated in the IFR, DHS has determined that the implementation of this regulation will not negatively affect family well-being in accordance with section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act of 1999 [51] and will not have any impact on the autonomy and integrity of the family as an institution. See90 FR 11793, 11799 (Mar. 12, 2025). The registration requirement neither impacts the stability or the safety of the family, particularly in terms of the marital commitment, nor the well-being of a family overall. To the contrary, as outlined in President Trump's E.O., enforcing the Nation's immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States and individuals present within the United States. SeeE.O. 14159, sec. 1.

Comment: A commenter, offering highly detailed remarks on the IFR, stated that UACs are among the world's most vulnerable populations, with thousands fleeing violence, persecution, abuse, and trafficking each year. The commenter noted that Congress created specific procedural protections for UACs in the TVPRA to prevent their return to trafficking and other harm. The commenter wrote that the TVPRA provides safeguards for UACs, including exemption from expedited removal, placement in full immigration removal proceedings, the right to have asylum applications first considered by USCIS in an interview setting, and exemption from the 1-year filing deadline for asylum and from the safe third country bar. The commenter expressed concern that the IFR fails to consider these existing protections and the unique needs of UACs. Furthermore, the commenter observed that the IFR does not specifically mention UACs, their legal protections, or provide an exemption for this population. The commenter additionally warned that DHS's failure to consider the specific ways in which the IFR would impact UACs could cause significant harm as a result of noncompliance.

Response: DHS notes that the various existing protections mentioned in the context of UACs were established by Congress through legislation. While various pieces of legislation providing protections for UACs have been enacted, Congress has not made any changes to sections 262 through 266 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302 through 1306, regarding UACs and the alien registration requirement. However, DHS notes that the criminal provision relating to a failure or refusal to register does not apply to aliens under 14 years of age, and for aliens 14 years of age or older requires that such a failure or refusal to register be willful. See INA sec. 266(a), 8 U.S.C. 1306(a). In addition, the carry requirement of section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e), only applies to aliens 18 years of age or older who have been issued evidence of registration by DHS.

Comment: A commenter expressed concern that the rule does not address whether and how UACs who do not have parents or legal guardians in the United States would comply with the initial registration requirement; who would be responsible for registering children in ORR custody or released to a nonparental/non-guardian sponsor; and how UACs turning 18 would learn if they were previously registered or provide evidence of such registration. Another commenter also raised concerns about compliance for those in government custody with ORR. A commenter said that it may be particularly challenging for UACs and those previously in Federal Government custody to obtain the information required for registration.

A commenter stated that the IFR, as written, would cause confusion among shelter providers and sponsors about whether and when children in ORR custody need to register, and who is responsible for registration. The commenter warned that this confusion could expose children to prolonged detention and later arrest due to the rule's vagueness as to who has responsibility for registering them and how to comply when a child is in government custody. The commenter further expressed concern that the IFR does not provide children with a mechanism to comply while in government custody. They explained that children in ORR shelters are rarely permitted to leave and would face structural barriers to complying with the registration requirements, including not having basic access to the rules or the ability to obtain fingerprinting and biometrics. Finally, the commenter warned that the IFR leaves foster children who are in the custody of State foster agencies vulnerable to the risk of arrest and deportation.

Several commenters expressed concern that the IFR lacks clarity regarding who would be required to register an unaccompanied child released to a sponsor who was neither a parent nor a legal guardian. A commenter voiced concern that the rule lacks clarity regarding its application to UACs and their sponsors, which they said may make it less likely that they would be able to determine whether they are required to complete Form G-325R to register with the Federal ( printed page 39288) Government. The commenter wrote, under the IFR, parents and legal guardians of alien children under the age of 14 have a duty to register their child, but the IFR does not account for the fact that many UACs under the age of 14 are released to a sponsor who is not their parent or legal guardian. Citing HHS data, the commenter said that, from November 30, 2024, to February 28, 2025, 49.7 percent of UACs in ORR custody were released to a sponsor who was neither a parent nor a legal guardian. Commenting from the viewpoint of a legal services provider for many UACs, the commenter expressed deep concerns about a lack of clarity around who is required to register such individuals and potential penalties for failing to register before the age of 14 and requested additional guidance from DHS around how to ensure young immigrant children comply with the IFR.

A commenter stated that the IFR does not address if and how the registration requirement would be applied to children under the age of 14 placed with non-parental/non-guardian sponsors. The commenter expressed concern that children could be registered inconsistently or with inaccurate information or be compelled to interact with parents with whom they may not otherwise be in contact, potentially risking harm to children seeking protection from abuse, abandonment, neglect, or similar parental mistreatment. Furthermore, the commenter said it is unclear whether UACs or sponsors would be advised of registration requirements through legal orientations during ORR care or upon release, and how children turning 14 while in the care of a non-parent/non-guardian sponsor would learn of related requirements to register themselves. The commenter also expressed concern that a child's registration status could vary unexpectedly over time based on their submission or receipt of immigration forms, their age, or other factors, creating confusion and barriers, particularly for UACs turning 18, who are expected to carry proof of registration at all times or face significant penalties.

A commenter said the rule would have a chilling effect on potential sponsors of UACs, who may fear that they would be targeted if they have not registered, or that, by agreeing to sponsor an unaccompanied child under the age of 14, they would assume a legal obligation to ensure that child is registered.

Another commenter wrote that a lack of clarity around the applicability of the IFR to UACs would increase reluctance among immigrant children to confide in or cooperate with law enforcement, causing particular harm to children who are victims of or witnesses to trafficking or other crimes, making children and communities less safe.

A commenter, citing multiple studies and reports, stated that immigrant children, including many UACs the commenter serves, have suffered trauma—from poverty, trafficking, or violence—that affects cognitive development, maturity, and memory. The commenter said that these conditions could make responding to the registration process more difficult for these children. A commenter in the healthcare sector noted that pediatricians who provide care to immigrant children are reporting great confusion over how to comply with the IFR, as patients who are UACs and their family members or caregivers do not understand whether they are subject to the IFR. The commenter said its members lack clarity from DHS on how best to advise these patients.

Commenters expressed concern that UACs may face prolonged family separation and profound re-traumatization if their sponsors or family are criminally prosecuted for failure to register or carry proof of registration. Similarly, a commenter voiced concern about chilling effects on those willing to be sponsors as a result of the IFR, as adults living with children would be held criminally responsible for complying with the registration requirement. This, the commenter cautioned, would lead to children languishing for longer periods in ORR custody, where educational curricula are limited, and certain developmental needs—such as hugs—are prohibited. A commenter additionally commented that prioritized enforcement against those who fail to comply with registration and fingerprinting requirements could impact potential sponsors of UACs, including children's parents and other family members, impeding their ability to care for children once they leave ORR custody. Consequently, the commenter said, children could face prolonged time in ORR care or face release to more distant and potentially less suitable sponsors.

A commenter said the Department offers no clarity about what would happen to minors who are arrested for noncompliance, including whether they may be returned to Federal custody, such as under ORR. The commenter and others, citing multiple reports, expressed additional concern for children in ORR custody due to the rule's complexity and language requirements, which the commenters warned could lead to unnecessary registrations of children 14 and older and enforcement actions against children and their families. The commenters said this is particularly concerning, as ORR has begun dismantling legal services for UACs and has issued its own IFR for ORR employees to share information about sponsors to ICE.

A commenter, discussing detailed concerns, wrote that the IFR is silent on whether DHS intends to apply the registration requirement to UACs in government custody. The commenter said it is also unclear whether ORR must complete registration forms for children in its care, how ORR would make such determinations, what physical address would be used, how to avoid duplication of registration, and other considerations for UACs. The commenter noted that average lengths of stay in ORR custody exceed 30 days, and some children may remain in long-term foster care placements for months or longer, meaning many UACs may still be in government care when they are required to comply with registration provisions. Citing the ORR Policy Guide, the commenter explained that ORR currently undertakes certain actions to ensure a child's attendance at immigration hearings scheduled while the child is in custody and facilitates access to legal orientations and screenings; however, the commenter noted that ORR generally must not make representations or share information about a child's immigration case with other Federal agencies unless requested by the child or their legal service provider. The commenter said that these safeguards recognize the harmful and prejudicial effect that unauthorized information sharing could have on a child's rights, fair adjudication of applications for humanitarian protection, and overall safety.

The commenter expressed concern that Form G-325R includes numerous questions with potential bearing on a child's immigration case that may also be contained within other legal applications the child is completing or has submitted. The commenter stated it would be inappropriate and prejudicial for ORR to complete this form on a child's behalf, particularly without the child's ability to consult with legal counsel.

A commenter expressed concern about the potential for imprisonment of UACs based on noncompliance with requirements discussed in the IFR, stating that this raises serious issues that the Department should have considered but does not address in the IFR. The commenter stated it would therefore be ( printed page 39289) possible for UACs to face re-detention in ORR custody or in ICE or other law enforcement facilities. The commenter questioned how any such arrests would comport with the TVPRA, Flores Settlement, and juvenile justice reforms regarding conditions and procedural protections for children and youth.

Response: The IFR and this final rule are limited in scope and establish a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. When Congress established the alien registration requirement in 1940, it did not address scenarios in which an alien child under 14 years of age required to register would be present in the United States without a parent or legal guardian. However, the statute and the registration processes does not require a parent or legal guardian to themselves be present in the United States in order to register an alien child under 14 years of age as required under section 262(b) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(b). The same is true for UACs under 14 years of age in HHS custody or who have been released to a nonparental or non-legal guardian sponsor; the statute still places duty to register the UAC on the parent or legal guardian. The statute does not place a duty to register a UAC on ORR or on any nonparental or non-legal guardian sponsor. Also, in general, UACs are served Form I-862, Notice to Appear, and placed in removal proceedings by DHS before the UAC is transferred to ORR care, custody, and placement. See8 U.S.C. 1232(a)(5)(D) and 8 CFR 236.3(f)(1). UACs are considered to be registered once the Form I-862 is issued by DHS. See8 CFR 264.1(b). With regard to UACs who are 14 years of age or older, DHS notes that they already receive personal service of notices to initiate removal proceedings on Form I-862, Notice to Appear, which constitutes as evidence of registration in 8 CFR 264.1(b), and must sign their own applications for immigration benefits. See8 CFR 103.8(c)(2)(ii); see8 CFR 103.2(a)(2). DHS, as directed by President Trump in E.O. 14159, has publicized information about the duty of aliens described in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, to register and be fingerprinted (if required). In addition to the rulemaking actions to publicize information on the alien registration requirement, USCIS established a dedicated website with information on the ARR and an ARR Tool that may help aliens determine whether they must register.

Also, as mentioned previously, the criminal provision relating to a failure or refusal to register does not apply to aliens under 14 years of age. While DHS defers to its partners at DOJ regarding the enforcement of the criminal provisions, DHS notes that for aliens 14 years of age or older only a “willful” failure or refusal to register or be fingerprinted is penalized in section 266(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1306(a).

If any alien is unsure whether they are registered, an alien may use the ARR Tool established by USCIS, to determine if an alien must register.[52] In addition, the carry requirement of section 264(e) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1304(e), only applies to aliens 18 years of age or older who have been issued evidence of registration by DHS.

Comment: Following the placement of an unaccompanied child with a sponsor, the child is to be provided with an NTA (Form I-862), which 8 CFR 264.1(b) lists as satisfying the registration requirements; however, multiple commenters discussed confusion and practical concerns about UACs fulfilling the registration requirements with an NTA. Commenters said that, while the rule exempts those who have been served an NTA, this would be confusing for many UACs and their families. They wrote that UACs not only may be unaware of the specific documentation they have received by nature of their age, vulnerability, and lack of legal competency; but they also may not have received an NTA. While citing a report, some commenters wrote that, until recently, ICE maintained a policy of deferring filings with immigration courts of UACs' NTAs until their placement with sponsors. Furthermore, the commenter reasoned, receipt of NTAs for unaccompanied youth has also been hampered by address changes amongst children and families, and by information errors and improper service by the government.

A commenter remarked that lawyers have reported many cases where DHS either fails to file or delays in filing NTAs that have been issued to UACs with the DOJ's EOIR. The commenter said that, in cases where the form is not filed with EOIR in a timely manner, an unaccompanied child should not be expected to file Form G-325R; instead, once they have been issued an NTA, they should be considered registered. The commenter expressed concern that the IFR does not contemplate this scenario and requested clarity as to whether the issuance of Form I-862 without the filing of said form with EOIR would satisfy the registration requirements.

Response: The IFR and this rule are limited in scope and establish a general registration option available to all unregistered aliens regardless of immigration status. The regulations identify a Form I-862 as constituting evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b), and an alien with this evidence of registration is considered to have complied with their duty to register with the government under section 262(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(a). If a UAC or his or her sponsor is unsure whether the UAC is registered, the UAC or his or her sponsor may use the ARR Tool established by USCIS, to determine if an alien must register.[53]

Comment: A commenter expressed concern with the requirement to admit juvenile adjudications, even those that were sealed, which the commenter said could have immigration consequences children would not understand.

Response: Under section 262(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302(a), forms designated to register aliens “shall contain queries with respect to . . . the police and criminal record, if any, of such alien.” See INA sec. 264(a), 8 U.S.C. 1304(a). Many forms used to seek immigration benefits request information about the applicant's criminal history, even if the criminal activity occurred when the applicant is a minor. See, e.g., Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Part 9, Question 23; Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, Part B, Question 2.

Comment: A commenter expressed his concerns about the confusion and compliance challenges for UACs, including those in ORR custody, and suggested that there should, at the least, be a clear carveout for children who are currently or have previously been in Federal immigration custody. The commenter reasoned that these children have already been processed by government agencies and should have been issued an NTA, although it may not be in their possession due to government practices and policies, and that these children have necessarily provided biographic and biometric information, rendering further registration unnecessary. Another commenter urged DHS to rescind the IFR, and, at minimum, exempt UACs from the provisions, to prevent the return of this population to trafficking and other harm. The commenter suggested, rather than increasing barriers for UACs facing known harm, DHS could have exempted UACs ( printed page 39290) altogether or considered children's other legal applications as evidence of registration.

Response: The statute provides limited exemptions [54] to the alien registration requirements. The IFR and this final rule have not created or modified the statutory requirements established by Congress that apply to aliens under 14 years of age, those who have recently turned 14 years of age within the United States, and those 14 years of age or older who are still a “child” for immigration purposes.

DHS agrees that aliens issued an NTA on a Form I-862 have evidence of registration in accordance with 8 CFR 264.1(b) and would not complete the general registration option as provided in the IFR and this final rule. An alien is, in general, already registered if the alien:

Comment: A commenter expressed concern that children who file Form I-360, seeking SIJ status, would experience difficulties assessing whether they have met the registration requirements. The commenter said, after filing a SIJ-based Form I-360, applicants generally are not required to attend biometrics appointments; however, those who file Form I-765, after they receive a SIJ-based deferred action determination are required to attend a biometrics appointment, although they are not always fingerprinted. The commenter said that many of these children would be uncertain as to whether they are registered and would be unlikely to complete Form G-325R on their own. They urged the Federal Government to take the age and particular vulnerabilities of children who file for SIJ status into account and waive the requirement for children who file Form I-360 to be fingerprinted, just as it waives the requirement for all children under the age of 14.

Response: DHS, as directed by President Trump in E.O. 14159, has publicized information about the duty of aliens described in section 262 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1302, to register and be fingerprinted (if required). In addition to the rulemaking actions to publicize information on the alien registration requirement, USCIS established a dedicated website with information on the ARR and an ARR Tool that may help aliens determine whether they must register. If any alien is unsure whether they are registered, an alien may use the ARR Tool established by USCIS, to determine if an alien must register.[55]

An alien issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b), including a Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document, has already registered. However, an alien who was issued evidence of registration and turns 14 years old in the United States must apply for reregistration within 30 days after the 14th birthday and be fingerprinted, if required. These aliens may submit a Form G-325R to reregister and be fingerprinted.

These rulemakings have not created or modified the statutory requirements established by Congress that apply to aliens under 14 years of age, those who have recently turned 14 years of age within the United States, and those 14 years of age or older who are still a “child” for immigration purposes.