DHS Implements New Requirements for Non-US Citizens Not Previously Registered
Read the full announcement. The original announcement was posted on March 12, 2025 by Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published Interim Final Rule (IFR) on March 12th requiring non-US citizens to register and be fingerprinted, if they have never been registered or fingerprinted, if they intend to remain in the U.S. for more than 30 days. DHS has also provided the procedure for completing the registration requirements.
The rule is based on the statutory requirement in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Section 262, which requires all non-U.S. citizens to register with the DHS and be fingerprinted. However, until now, there was no formal process to comply with the rule apart from mandatory fingerprinting while applying for a visa at U.S. Consulates/Embassies abroad and submitting certain applications for benefits or status to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
With the IFR, the DHS has now specified the procedure to comply with the registration requirement for non-US citizens who are not nonimmigrants or Lawful Permanent Residents (“green card” holders).