The United States government has issued a direct warning to migrants: those who do not officially register with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and do not attend their biometric appointment could face fines, criminal charges, and even jail.
The measure is part of Executive Order 14159. Signed by President Donald Trump on January 20th, under the title "Protecting the American People from Invasion." This directive requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strictly enforce Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which mandates the mandatory registration of any foreigner who stays in U.S. territory for more than 30 days.
Mandatory to give fingerprints, even for minors
According to the regulations, all migrants over 14 years old who have not been previously registered or have not provided their fingerprints when applying for a visa or entering the country must complete this process.
Parents or guardians of minors under 14 years old are also responsible for registering their children. Those who turn 14 must re-register and go to have their fingerprints taken within 30 days after their birthday.
USCIS explained that once the procedure is completed, DHS will issue an official certificate. Those over 18 must carry this proof at all times as evidence that they have complied with the current regulations.
Penalties if the registration is not completed
Not doing so could result in criminal penalties, USCIS warned this Tuesday on its official X social media account. The federal agency made it clear that those who ignore the appointment or do not submit their biometric data may face fines, misdemeanor charges, or imprisonment, in addition to being subject to deportation proceedings.
To facilitate the process, USCIS has made the G-325R form available, specifically designed for this purpose. The form can be completed online. And the agency will send migrants an appointment for fingerprinting at one of the Application Support Centers (ASC).
It is not a migration benefit
The government clarified that this process does not grant legal status, does not provide a work permit, nor does it represent a migration benefit. It is solely about fulfilling the obligation to register as a foreigner within the country, something many migrants were unaware of until now.
This policy has been presented by the Trump administration as a key step to "protect national security." "After years of border chaos, this is a tool to identify and locate those who are illegally in our country." This was stated by a spokesperson from the Department of the Treasury, which is involved in coordinating the immigration control system.
Migrants with CBP One, also affected
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security is notifying thousands of people who entered the United States through the CBP One app about the cancellation of their stay permits.
The government is giving them the order to leave the country immediately. It also instructs them to self-deport using the CBP Home app now. The renamed version of the previous tool.
The cancellation of these authorizations is a promise kept to the American people, declared the DHS media unit, without specifying how many migrants have received the order to leave.
The situation creates great uncertainty among immigrants. They now face not only the threat of deportation but also possible criminal penalties if they do not register formally and provide their biometric data within the legal deadline.