DHS Says Immigrants in US Will Need to Register or Face Penalty

‘President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now,’ a DHS spokesperson said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Tuesday that immigrants in the country must register with the federal government and that failing to do so will result in fines, potential imprisonment, or both.

This would allow law enforcement to track and compel illegal immigrants to self-deport, while saving agency resources that would otherwise be used on carrying out physical removals, the DHS said in a statement.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that the Trump administration will enforce all immigration laws to ensure “the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans.”

“[President Donald Trump] and [DHS Secretary Kristi Noem] have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now,” the spokesperson said. “If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream.”

According to the department’s website, all immigrants aged 14 and older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa, and those who have stayed in the United States for 30 days or more, must apply for registration and fingerprinting.

It stated that parents and guardians are required to ensure that their children, who have previously registered with the federal government, re-register and appear for fingerprinting within 30 days of turning 14.

The DHS will issue proof of registration upon completion of the registration and fingerprinting process. The department stated that immigrants over the age of 18 must carry this proof at all times.

“Failure to comply will result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanor prosecution and the payment of fines,” it stated, without specifying the amount of fines.

The DHS said that a form and process will be made available for immigrants’ registration in the coming days.

The move followed Trump’s executive order instructing the DHS to implement policies and procedures that will encourage illegal immigrants to voluntarily depart the country as soon as possible, and assess the fines and penalties that could be taken against immigrants who unlawfully entered the country.

Trump’s order states that the former Biden administration had overseen “an unprecedented flood of illegal immigration into the United States” over the past four years and allowed millions of illegal immigrants “to fly directly into the United States on commercial flights” and “settle in American communities, in violation of longstanding federal laws.”

“Many of these aliens unlawfully within the United States present significant threats to national security and public safety, committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans,” the order stated. “Others are engaged in hostile activities, including espionage, economic espionage, and preparations for terror-related activities.”

Those who would like to immigrate to the United States can do so through legal means, the president has said.

After taking office on Jan. 20, Trump signed several executive actions to deter and prevent the entry of illegal immigrants into the country, including terminating the CBP One app service, which was established by the former Biden administration to allow immigrants without legal entry papers to schedule appointments at U.S. ports of entry.

Trump also signed an order on Feb. 19 directing all agencies to identify any federally-funded programs that provide financial assistance to illegal immigrants and terminate such assistance. The president also ordered an end to birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants, which has been blocked by multiple federal judges as the legality of the order is considered by the courts.

Last week, Noem issued a memo authorizing special agents of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) to perform the functions of immigration enforcement officers.

DHS stated in a Feb. 20 news release that up to 600 DSS agents across the country had been deputized to help with arresting and deporting illegal immigrants. The release also noted that DHS had deputized employees with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the IRS to partake in immigration enforcement activities.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.