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Judge Allows Immigrant Registration to Move Forward

Posted by Hugo R. Valverde, Managing Attorney, and Anna D. Colby, Attorney Social Media Marketing Manager | May 14, 2025 | 0 Comments

Photo by Solange Brenis on Unsplash

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Trump administration's plan requiring undocumented immigrants to register with the federal government, or face potential fines or imprisonment. 

Soon after Trump took office for the second time, his administration announced an “alien registration requirement,” supporting the policy by utilizing a long-dormant WW2 era law to require that any noncitizen who is 14 years or older register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The law mandates that non-citizens register upon arrival, but the enforcement of this law has been inconsistent over the years.

Registration involves creating an account on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, providing fingerprints, and carrying registration documents. Failure to comply could result in criminal and civil penalties, including fines up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.

Advocacy groups, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and United Farm Workers of America, challenged the policy, arguing that it would harm their missions and the communities they serve. They contended that the rule was enacted without proper public input and could lead to mass deportations.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, appointed by President Trump, dismissed the lawsuit, finding that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue and that the alleged harms were too speculative and did not demonstrate that the rule would erode the organizations' core missions.

Implications of the Ruling

The ruling allows the DHS to proceed with the registration requirement, which is now in effect. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized that the administration would enforce all immigration laws and urged undocumented individuals to leave voluntarily to avoid potential penalties.

A central component of the registration process is the completion of Form G-325R, the Biographic Information (Registration) form. This form collects detailed personal information, including:

  • Full legal name

  • Date and place of birth

  • Address history for the past five years

  • Information about immediate family members

The policy forces undocumented immigrants into a difficult position: register private information and risk deportation or remain undocumented and face penalties. This dilemma could have far-reaching consequences for millions of individuals living in the U.S. without legal status, especially those in mixed-status families.

Looking Ahead

As the policy moves forward, it is expected to face further legal challenges. Advocacy groups are exploring additional avenues to contest the rule, including potential appeals and new lawsuits. We will keep you updated on any further legal developments.

If you need assistance filing for an immigration petition, you can reach us at (757) 422-8472, or send us a message on our website. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys by clicking on this link.

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