The Trump administration’s new immigration policy compels tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants to register with the government—prompting sharp warnings from civil rights advocates who say it may be a trap for mass deportation.
At a Glance
- Undocumented immigrants must register or risk fines and prosecution
- Executive Order requires fingerprints and proof of registration
- 47,000 immigrants have registered so far
- Critics warn the registry could be used for deportation
The Mandate: A Double-Edged Sword
Under the Trump administration’s “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” Executive Order, undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older are now required to register with the federal government or face fines of up to $5,000 or six months in prison. Parents must also register their children under 14. The order mandates the submission of biometric data and stipulates that registrants carry proof of compliance at all times.
Critics argue that this system is less about documentation and more about enforcement. According to The Guardian, many immigrant advocates believe the policy is designed to entrap individuals for deportation rather than offer legal protections.
Watch Fox News’ coverage of Kristi Noem defending the registration policy.
A Broader Immigration Crackdown
The registration requirement is part of a sweeping effort by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to bolster interior enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has insisted the law has always existed but was not enforced until now. “If they don’t register, they are breaking the federal law,” Noem told Fox News. “We’re just going to start enforcing it,” she said, as reported by Newsweek.
Yet immigration lawyers like Jeff Joseph call the policy a “bait-and-switch.” He warned that USCIS—the same agency that manages benefits like citizenship—now also plays a role in deportations. “The agency that grants benefits is not supposed to be the agency that entraps you into enforcement at the same time,” Joseph told Newsweek. “It’s a real travesty.”
Enforcement or Entrapment?
So far, 47,000 undocumented immigrants have complied with the registration order. But many fear the data they’ve submitted could later be used to identify and deport them. Legal observers say the order could spark constitutional challenges, especially if federal judges find the program encourages racial profiling or violates due process protections.
Concerns over USCIS’s dual role are also mounting. Immigrant communities report widespread confusion and fear, especially in cities where previous immigration raids have occurred in schools, churches, and courthouses.
The Courthouse News Service recently reported that at least one federal judge expressed skepticism about the national registry’s legality, suggesting the policy may face legal obstacles before broader implementation.
The Political Divide
Supporters argue the registry improves national security and enforces laws that have long gone ignored. Opponents say it unfairly targets vulnerable populations and erodes trust in government institutions meant to serve immigrants.
While Republicans seek increased funding to support the policy, Democrats and advocacy groups are calling for comprehensive immigration reform. As tensions rise, the Alien Registration Requirement has become a flashpoint in the nation’s ongoing debate over who belongs—and how far the government should go to remove those who don’t.
