Trump administration to launch registry for illegal immigrants: Fines and arrests for noncompliance

By bellecarter // 2025-03-01

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President Donald Trump's administration plans to introduce an online registry for undocumented immigrants, requiring them to submit personal details or face fines and arrest.
The policy shifts the treatment of illegal immigration from a civil offense to one with potential criminal penalties for noncompliance, including fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison.
Historical precedents include a 1940s registry for identifying suspected communists and a post-9/11 registry under President George W. Bush, which led to the arrest and deportation of many migrants.
The registry, part of Trump's executive order "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," requires undocumented immigrants to register within 30 days, with evidence of registration to be carried by those over 18.
The policy faces criticism from immigrant rights advocates who argue it will further marginalize undocumented immigrants, while supporters claim it enforces the rule of law and enhances national security.

The administration of President Donald Trump is poised to introduce an online registry for undocumented immigrants as early as this week, mandating that they submit personal information or face severe penalties, including fines and arrest. The move, outlined in a memo by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, marks a shift from the current civil offense status of illegal immigration to a more punitive approach, with potential criminal consequences for noncompliance. The policy, which aligns with Trump's broader efforts to bolster the nation's immigration laws, requires undocumented migrants, including minors over the age of 14, to submit fingerprints and home addresses. Those who fail to register within 30 days of the registry's launch could face fines up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison, according to documents reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. This initiative is not without historical precedent. In 1940, the U.S. government implemented a similar registry to identify and monitor suspected communists, though the program became impractical and was discontinued by the 1960s. More recently, former President George W. Bush established an immigration registry following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which resulted in the arrest and deportation of tens of thousands of migrants, according to the Journal. The new registry is designed to bring undocumented immigrants who have not previously interacted with the government – such as by seeking asylum or a work permit – under the DHS's purview. "Once an alien has registered and appeared for fingerprinting (unless waived), DHS will issue evidence of registration, which aliens over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their possession at all times," reads a notice on the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Implementation and penalties

The registration process, which will be mandatory for all unregistered undocumented immigrants, is part of Trump's Day One executive order, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion." Under this order, DHS is directed to set up the registry under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and ensure that noncompliance is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority. (Related: ICE arrested over 300 illegal immigrants with major criminal convictions within 24 hours of Trump's inauguration.) USCIS notes that "registration is not an immigration status, and registration documentation does not establish employment authorization or any other right or benefit under the INA or any other U.S. law." Aliens currently in the country illegally will have 30 days to submit their personal information once the registration website is operational. Failure to comply will result in criminal and civil penalties, including misdemeanor prosecution and fines. The policy has drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates who argue that it will further marginalize and criminalize an already vulnerable population. "This registry is a clear attempt to intimidate and punish undocumented immigrants," said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. "It will only drive more people into the shadows and create a humanitarian crisis." Proponents of the policy, however, argue that it is necessary to enforce the rule of law and protect national security. "Aliens in this country illegally face a choice," Noem stated in the memo. "They can return home and follow the legal process to come to the United States or they can deal with the consequences of continuing to violate our laws." As the policy rolls out, the coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining its impact and the broader implications for immigration policy in the United States. InvasionUSA.news has similar stories. Watch the video below where Noem praised Trump's immigration policies. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Implementation and penalties

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