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The Trump administration is intensifying its immigration enforcement efforts by imposing potential criminal penalties on certain undocumented immigrants in the U.S. The announcement, made by the Department of Homeland Security, indicates that individuals aged 13 and older, who have not signed up for a government registry, may face jail time or fines.
According to the administration, it will provide those who have not registered an opportunity to do so through an online registration form, which has yet to be released. Officials emphasize that failing to register could lead to criminal charges.
This initiative was framed by administration officials as a means to prompt unauthorized immigrants to voluntarily leave the country. They claim that this law has been overlooked by previous administrations, both Democratic and Republican.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated, “President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream.”
In recent months, the Trump administration has pursued a series of aggressive policies aimed at making life for undocumented individuals in the U.S. increasingly challenging. These changes raise the stakes for detention and deportation for many immigrants, while also encouraging voluntary departures.
The registration requirement specifically targets those entering the U.S. illegally who are 14 years or older and have resided in the country for more than 30 days without having submitted fingerprints or registered with immigration authorities. This includes individuals who have never undergone formal admission processes with U.S. immigration officials.
For minors subjected to these registry requirements, their parents or legal guardians will be responsible for registering them. Once registered, individuals will receive documents they are required to carry at all times, according to officials who shared the information on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal was among the first outlets to report on this policy change.
It is important to note that this new requirement does not extend to legal permanent residents, immigrants who arrived under the parole immigration policy, or those holding visas—even if they have overstayed their terms. Additionally, it excludes individuals with government-issued work permits or those engaged in ongoing immigration court proceedings.
This latest directive aligns with an executive order from President Trump issued shortly after he began his second term. The strategy draws upon a World War II-era law aimed originally at identifying suspected communists, repurposed now for contemporary immigration enforcement.
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