The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that today, April 11, 2025, is the final deadline for foreign nationals residing in the United States for more than 30 days to register with the federal government. Failure to comply could result in severe penalties, including fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, according to a DHS statement. The agency emphasized, “Today is the deadline for foreign nationals present in the U.S. longer than 30 days to register with the federal government. Failure to comply is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment.”
The registration requirement was first published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2025, with a 30-day window for compliance, culminating on April 11. This stems from Executive Order 14159, signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, mandating stricter enforcement of foreign national registration to strengthen national security and address gaps in the current system.
The rule applies to a broad range of individuals, including those who entered the U.S. unlawfully, visitors from Canada who did not receive an I-94 form, and children aged 14 and older residing in the U.S. for more than 30 days. The regulation exempts Native Americans born in Canada.
Foreign nationals subject to the rule must complete Form G-325A, available free of charge on the USCIS online portal. To begin, individuals need to create an account on the myUSCIS portal, fill out the form, and submit it. Upon submission, USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center, where fingerprints, photographs, and signatures will be collected. These biometrics will verify identities and facilitate background checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history database.
Once the biometrics process is complete, USCIS will issue a registration certificate, which individuals can download from their myUSCIS account. Those aged 18 and older are required to carry this certificate at all times. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 30 days.
USCIS estimates that the rule will affect between 2.2 million and 3.2 million individuals. It establishes a clearer registration process for various groups, including undocumented entrants, asylum seekers, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients. The regulation also impacts Canadian visitors entering the U.S. by land without an I-94 form, addressing a longstanding gap in tracking short-term visitors.
The penalties for failing to register are significant. Knowingly refusing to register or provide biometrics can lead to a fine of up to $5,000, six months in jail, or both. Additionally, not carrying the registration certificate (for those 18 and older) may result in a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 30 days, underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcing the rule.
Currently, both the G-325A form and biometrics services are free. However, USCIS has proposed a $30 biometrics fee to cover costs for fingerprinting, background checks, and related services in the future. The public comment period for this proposal has already closed, and a decision on the fee is pending.
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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.
