Trump Gets Green Light to Require Registration of Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.

• Federal Judge Supports Mandatory Registration of Undocumented Immigrants
• Undocumented Immigrants Must Submit Personal Data
• Noncompliance Will Be Punished with Prison or Fines

A federal judge has given the green light to President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a measure requiring all individuals without legal residency in the United States to register with the federal government.

The decision was made by Judge Trevor Neil McFadden, who sided with the Trump administration’s argument that the policy is not new, but rather an enforcement of existing regulations under immigration law.

The ruling, issued on Thursday, marks a significant shift in how authorities deal with immigrants lacking legal status in the country.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the requirement takes effect this Friday and compliance will be mandatory.

Judge Authorizes Registration of Undocumented Immigrants with the Government

| BREAKING: A federal judge has APPROVED President Donald Trump’s plan requiring all individuals living illegally in the United States to register with the federal government. ?? ANOTHER WIN FOR TRUMP! pic.twitter.com/fxu0s8NFR8

– Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) April 10, 2025

The measure mandates that any person over the age of 14 who is in the country without legal documentation must submit their fingerprints, current address, and other personal information to the federal government.

Parents or legal guardians of minors under the age of 14 are also required to register them with the authorities.

The government warned that the undocumented immigrants who fail to comply with the registration will face legal consequences, including financial penalties or even prison sentences.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, failure to register will be considered a criminal offense.

What Documents Must Be Carried?

Additionally, those who do register must carry their registration documents at all times; failure to do so could result in detention.

The new rule will also apply to Canadian citizens who stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days, including so-called «snowbirds» who travel to states like Florida for the winter.

The legal basis for this measure traces back to the 1940 Alien Registration Act, created in a climate of fear surrounding immigration and potential internal threats during the early years of World War II.

Since then, the law has remained on the books, though its enforcement has often been sporadic and largely symbolic.

The current requirements stem from the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, which mandates the registration of any non-citizen residing in the United States.

However, for decades, this obligation has been applied in a limited fashion and rarely enforced broadly.

Opponents of the measure argue that it has not been implemented universally for over 70 years and could represent a form of covert discrimination.

Judge McFadden’s decision reignites fears among pro-immigrant advocates, who believe these types of policies foster harassment and criminalization of vulnerable communities.

For the Trump administration, this action is part of its hardline stance against illegal immigration—one of its hallmark issues during the president’s tenure.

According to the administration, enforcing th registration of undocumented immigrants is simply following the law and ensuring national security, according to AP.

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