The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has once again warned that non-citizens, including green card holders, who fail to report address changes could face deportation. On Wednesday, USCIS updated its website, cautioning that all non-citizens, including green card holders, who move within the U.S. and fail to inform the government of their address change may be subject to deportation.
USCIS stated, “All aliens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. We strongly encourage you to submit your change of address through your USCIS online account as soon as you move.”
Additionally, USCIS warned, “Any alien who has failed to comply with the change-of-address notification requirements is deportable unless the alien establishes that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful.”
Earlier, in late February, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that laws penalizing those who fail to report address changes would be actively enforced. She warned that the Immigration and Nationality Act would be fully implemented.
While laws requiring the reporting of address changes have long existed in the U.S., enforcement has been inconsistent. However, the Trump administration has now signaled its intent to enforce these regulations strictly.
Kristi Noem stated, “The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws—we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce.”
In the U.S., failing to report an address change can result in penalties of up to $200, 30 days in jail, or both. Green card holders and other non-citizens who cannot provide a reasonable explanation for failing to report an address change—or cannot prove that the omission was not intentional—may face deportation under existing legal provisions.
Title 8 of the United States Code, U.S.C. § 1305(a), also states, “Each alien required to be registered under this subchapter who is within the United States shall notify the Attorney General in writing of each change of address and new address within ten days from the date of such change and furnish with such notice such additional information as the Attorney General may require by regulation.”
Title 8 of the United States Code, U.S.C. § 1306(b), outlines the criminal penalties for willfully failing to report an address change, stating, “Any alien or any parent or legal guardian in the United States of any alien who fails to give written notice to the Attorney General, as required by section 1305 of this title, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not to exceed $200 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. Irrespective of whether an alien is convicted and punished as herein provided, any alien who fails to give written notice to the Attorney General, as required by section 1305 of this title, shall be taken into custody and removed in the manner provided by part IV of this subchapter, unless such alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful.”
Title 8 of the United States Code, U.S.C. § 1227(a)(3)(A), further specifies that failure to comply with the address change notification requirement can render an alien deportable, stating, “An alien who has failed to comply with the provisions of section 1305 of this title is deportable, unless the alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful.”
For those required to report to USCIS, the agency offers the Enterprise Change of Address Self-Service Tool, allowing individuals with pending applications, petitions, or requests to easily update their address. Most individuals with a USCIS online account can use this tool to update both their mailing and physical addresses for pending applications, petitions, or requests in one place, eliminating the need to update addresses in multiple locations.
This tool eliminates the hassle of filling out the paper Form AR-11, contacting the USCIS Contact Center, visiting a USCIS field office, or going to an asylum office. It automatically updates address changes for nearly all form types, with a few exceptions.
Immigrants without pending applications, petitions, or requests are also required to notify USCIS of a move and can use this tool to meet that obligation. Access to the tool is available through a USCIS online account, regardless of whether a pending case was submitted online or by mail. However, individuals with pending or approved applications under V, T, or U visas cannot use this tool at this time.
To use the tool, individuals need a USCIS online account and must enter their name, date of birth, and new physical and mailing addresses. They are also encouraged to include details about their pending applications, petitions, or requests.
Those without a USCIS online account must use Form AR-11 to report an address change, which can also be submitted by mail. Victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, or other crimes with pending applications at USCIS must submit Form AR-11 to update their address. Similarly, those who have applied for an I-751 waiver must also use Form AR-11.
If a U.S. citizen has any family or other applications pending with USCIS, they must also update their address. Additionally, if a U.S. citizen is sponsoring someone, they must notify USCIS of an address change within 30 days by submitting Form I-865. However, non-immigrants visiting the U.S. for less than 30 days on a non-immigrant visa are not required to report address changes.
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.
