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Immigration authorities have announced that individuals residing in the United States without legal status will soon be required to register with the federal government. Those who fail to comply may face penalties including fines and possible imprisonment.
The registration mandate will apply to all individuals 14 years and older lacking legal residency, as confirmed in a statement issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security. Each registrant is required to submit their fingerprints and residential address, with parents and guardians responsible for ensuring those under 14 years of age are properly registered.
This announcement is part of a series of initiatives from the Trump administration aimed at enforcing stricter immigration policies, echoing prior campaign promises to take action against individuals unlawfully residing in the country.
What is the purpose of the registry?
The requirement for undocumented individuals to register has been a longstanding component of U.S. immigration law, originating from the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which was influenced by the sociopolitical climate preceding World War II. The current enforceable provisions derive from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
Historically, however, the enforcement of the registration requirement has been infrequent, a point noted by immigration scholars.
Officials assert that this will change under the current administration.
“The Trump administration is unified in its commitment to enforce all immigration laws without exception,” stated Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. “Understanding who resides in our country is critical for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans.”
What objectives does this announcement aim to achieve?
The recent announcement serves not only as a bureaucratic update that reinforces government compliance but also outlines the necessary steps for individuals to register legally.
Officials indicated that they would soon publish a form and process for individuals to fulfill the registration requirement. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has advised individuals to set up an online account, promising further details regarding the registration process in the near future.
This registry announcement allows the Trump administration to demonstrate its stance on immigration reform while simultaneously conveying a message to those residing in the U.S. without lawful status.
“If you depart now, you may have the chance to return and pursue the American dream,” the statement from McLaughlin asserted.
What implications might the registry have?
Though the specific outcomes associated with the registry remain uncertain, legal experts suggest that its impact might be minimal. Many individuals who are undocumented may choose not to register, which could increase their vulnerability to deportation.
“Regardless of its actual efficacy in deporting individuals, this step communicates to the American public that the administration is intensifying its efforts against undocumented immigrants,” remarked Stephen Yale-Loehr, a noted immigration law scholar and former professor at Cornell Law School. He also emphasized that this initiative could intensify the fears among immigrants already unsettled by the current political climate.
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Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana contributed reporting.
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