(Washington)--On February 25, 2025, the Trump administration announced it would be requiring most immigrants to register with the federal government by providing fingerprints and their address, yet another cruel tactic engineered to maximize fear in all communities.
Currently, there is no process in place for a register, though the official USCIS website indicates a process will be implemented soon. You should speak with a trusted legal representative before creating an online USCIS account or submitting any forms. Be mindful of anyone telling you to fill out any form regarding registration.The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is continuing to monitor the implementation of a registration process and will provide more analysis as more information becomes available.
The Department of Homeland Security cited the Alien Registration Act of 1940 for creating the register. The Alien Registration Act was enacted during World War II and was used to target individuals the government deemed to be “dangerous.”
The federal government last used a register, the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEEERS), after Sept. 11, 2001, requiring men from mainly Muslim majority countries to register with the government. The registration process remained in effect from 2002 until it was formally rescinded in December 2016. Thousands of men who registered were deported. NSEERS is widely considered to be a notorious racial profiling program that succeeded only in ripping families apart and creating chaos and distrust in Muslim and immigrant communities.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and @the_ILRC on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. Also follow us on Bluesky @the-ilrc.bsky.social, and on Facebook.