DUBAI: The Trump administration has issued a sweeping new directive mandating that all foreign nationals in the United States register with the federal government if they remain in the country for more than 30 days.
The new rule, enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will apply to undocumented individuals and certain visa holders alike. Non-compliance could result in jail time, hefty fines, deportation, and permanent bans from future re-entry.
The rule, grounded in a statute dating back to the Second World War, was greenlit on 10 April by US District Judge Trevor N. McFadden. His ruling rejected legal challenges from immigrant advocacy groups, stating they lacked sufficient standing to block the rule's implementation.
The policy took legal effect on 11 April and is being enforced with immediate effect across the country.
Fines and penalties
The penalties for not registering are severe. Individuals who receive a final removal order and remain in the country without registration will face fines of $998 per day. Those who agree to leave voluntarily but fail to follow through can be fined between $1,000 and $5,000. Jail sentences and permanent bans on legal immigration are also on the table for those who violate the directive.
In a post titled “Message to Illegal Aliens”, the DHS stated: “Foreign nationals present in the US longer than 30 days must register. Failure to comply is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment.” The post, shared on social media and tagged to President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, concluded with a stark warning: “LEAVE NOW and self-deport.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added: “If not, you will be arrested, fined, deported, never to return to our country again.”
‘Safe Exit’
To mitigate abrupt enforcement, the DHS has outlined a “safe exit” scheme. Those who voluntarily leave the US under this provision can select their own departure flight, retain US-earned income if not charged with crimes, and even apply for a subsidised return flight in cases of financial hardship.
Secretary Kristi Noem stressed the administration’s position: “We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans.” The directive is in line with President Trump’s 2025 executive order titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion”, signed on 20 January.
Visa holders still at risk
Though the order does not immediately target legal visa holders – such as H-1B workers or F-1 international students – it introduces heightened scrutiny. Any lapse in visa validity, such as job loss or failure to maintain student status, may reclassify the individual as “unlawfully present.”
In such cases, affected persons could fall under the same enforcement regime as undocumented migrants. Immigration attorneys have advised strict compliance, as even temporary loss of legal status may trigger penalties under the new rules.
Green card holders, employment authorisation document holders, and current visa holders are considered “already registered” under DHS terms. However, they are now legally required to carry documentation at all times and must report any change of address within 10 days to avoid penalties.
Who is affected?
The rule also includes minors. Children who remain in the US past 30 days are required to be registered. Once a child turns 14, they must re-register and submit fingerprints within 30 days of their birthday, regardless of previous registration.
The impact is likely to be significant for Indian nationals. DHS estimates suggest there were around 220,000 undocumented Indians in the US as of 2022. However, other sources report much higher figures – the Migration Policy Institute estimates 375,000, while the Pew Research Center places the number near 700,000.
Parents of minors, students, and recently unemployed H-1B holders are being urged to seek legal counsel or voluntarily exit the country to avoid accumulating penalties or triggering permanent immigration bans.