The federal government has introduced a mandatory registration system for undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older, requiring them to provide fingerprints and personal information or face potential fines and legal consequences. Parents must register children under 14, with re-registration required once they reach the age threshold. Those over 18 must carry proof of registration at all times.
Officials state that this policy is an enforcement of existing laws, aiming to enhance immigration control. Noncompliance could lead to misdemeanor charges, fines up to $5,000, or six months in prison. While framed as a tool to assist undocumented immigrants in returning to their home countries and later re-entering legally, immigration advocates warn it could be used to facilitate mass deportations.
The policy is part of broader efforts to tighten immigration rules, including restrictions on refugee admissions, legal aid cuts for immigrant children, and expanded immigration enforcement in sensitive locations. Advocacy groups highlight concerns that this registry may serve as a tool for tracking and targeting individuals for removal.
