The Trump administration has announced a new registry system requiring all undocumented immigrants in the United States to self-report, provide fingerprints, and disclose their address. Immigration officials stated on Tuesday that failure to comply could lead to fines or prosecution.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited the Immigration and Nationality Act as the legal foundation for this initiative, which will apply to individuals aged 14 and older. This move aligns with the administration’s efforts to fulfill campaign promises of mass deportations and stricter border control measures. 

"An alien’s failure to register is a crime that could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both," DHS stated. "For decades, this law has been ignored — not anymore."

The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is expected to introduce a form and procedure for registration. The initiative follows one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration, which mandated DHS to inform all previously unregistered immigrants of their legal obligation to comply. 

It remains uncertain how many undocumented immigrants will voluntarily register, as doing so would expose their identity and residence to federal authorities. The administration has emphasized that initial deportation efforts will prioritize individuals with criminal records. 

The National Immigration Law Center, an immigration advocacy group, has expressed concerns over the policy. It noted that the last comprehensive registration of noncitizens occurred under the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which aimed to identify individuals perceived as national security threats. 

The organization warned that a modern-day registry could be used as a tool for deportation. "Any attempt by the Trump administration to create a registration process for noncitizens previously unable to register would be used to identify and target people for detention and deportation," the group stated. 

The administration has not yet provided details on enforcement mechanisms or how it plans to handle non-compliance. Further updates on the registration process are expected in the coming weeks. 

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/trump-administration-to-make-it-mandatory-for-migrants-to-register-or-face-fines-prison/articleshow/118570386.cms