The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a significant update to its alien registration requirements, introducing a new form designed to streamline compliance with federal immigration laws. The interim final rule (IFR), set to be published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2025, amends existing regulations to designate a new registration form, Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration), for individuals who are required to register under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The new rule, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), aims to close gaps in the current registration system by providing a general registration option for all unregistered individuals, regardless of their immigration status. As stated in the notice, “This IFR amends DHS regulations to designate a new registration form for aliens to comply with statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions.” This includes individuals who entered the U.S. without inspection, Canadian visitors who were not issued a Form I-94, and children who turn 14 years old and must register within 30 days of their birthday.
Under the INA, most individuals over the age of 14 who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer are required to register and provide fingerprints. The notice emphasizes that “an alien’s willful failure or refusal to apply to register or to be fingerprinted is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.” The new Form G-325R will allow individuals to fulfill these obligations more easily by providing a standardized method for registration.
Individuals will be required to create an account on the myUSCIS portal and complete Form G-325R. The form is currently free of charge, and submission will initiate a biometrics appointment at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC). During the appointment, the individual’s fingerprints, photograph, and signature will be collected for identity verification and background checks, including a review of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Once the biometrics process is completed, USCIS will issue a “Proof of Alien Registration” document, which will be available for download in the individual’s myUSCIS account. The notice states that “this document serves as evidence of the alien’s registration for purposes of 8 U.S.C. 1304(d).” Registered individuals aged 18 and over must carry this document at all times, as “noncompliance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both.”
The new rule addresses several shortcomings in the current registration system. For example, many individuals who entered the U.S. without inspection or who are applying for asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) do not have a designated registration form.
The notice highlights that “aliens who entered without inspection and have not otherwise been encountered by DHS lack a designated registration form.” Additionally, Canadian visitors who enter the U.S. at land ports of entry are often not issued a Form I-94, leaving them without proof of registration.
The rule also clarifies that certain groups, such as American Indians born in Canada who possess at least 50% American Indian blood, are exempt from registration requirements under 8 U.S.C. 1359. However, the notice specifies that “such entrants may do so if they wish.”
While there is currently no fee for filing Form G-325R or submitting biometrics, DHS is considering implementing a $30 biometric services fee to cover the costs of fingerprinting, background checks, and other related services. The agency is seeking public comments on this potential fee, which would help offset the costs of processing an estimated 2.2 to 3.2 million new registrations.
DHS is inviting public comments on the interim final rule, which must be submitted within 30 days of the rule’s publication in the Federal Register. Comments on the information collection requirements, including the burden of completing Form G-325R, must be submitted within 60 days of publication.
The new rule is part of DHS’s broader efforts to enforce immigration laws and improve public safety. By ensuring that all individuals in the U.S. are properly registered, DHS aims to enhance its ability to track individuals, conduct background checks, and enforce immigration laws more effectively.
The rule also aligns with Executive Order 14159, issued on January 20, 2025, which directs DHS to prioritize the enforcement of alien registration requirements. The notice emphasizes that “failure to comply with the legal obligations of 8 U.S.C. 1301-1306 is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority.”
DHS estimates that between 2.2 million and 3.2 million individuals in the U.S. are currently unregistered and will be affected by this rule. This includes individuals who entered the country without inspection, Canadian visitors, and children who turn 14 and must register for the first time.
The notice clarifies that “this rule does not impose any new registration or fingerprinting obligations separate from the obligations already contained in the Act.” Instead, it provides a more accessible method for individuals to comply with existing requirements.
The interim final rule will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register. DHS will continue to evaluate the impact of the rule and may make adjustments based on public feedback and operational needs.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
