A new federal rule requiring all non-citizens who have been in the United States for at least 30 days to register with the government went into effect Friday, following a federal judge’s decision to allow the Trump administration to implement the policy despite legal challenges.
Under the rule, individuals who fail to register or carry proof of registration may face penalties of up to $5,000 or six months in jail. Immigration policy analysts say the rule has sparked confusion and fear among longtime undocumented residents—many of whom own homes, operate businesses, and pay taxes.
“Everyone who isn’t already registered with the government is now being told they must register and carry proof,” said Julia Gelatt, associate director of the U.S. program at the Migration Policy Institute. “I think there's a very big question about whether long-term unauthorized immigrants will choose to register. Giving one's current contact information and address could be risky in this environment when the Trump administration is trying to deport as many people as they can who don't have authorization to live in the United States.”
Gelatt noted that the rule primarily affects people who crossed the border without applying for immigration benefits and remain undocumented. While the new rule adds potential fines or jail time, she said it does not necessarily alter their risk of deportation.
”If ICE is finding somebody in the US who is deportable, they're seeking that person's deportation, whether or not they're complying with the registration requirement," she said.
Many immigrants who entered the U.S. legally but have since lost status—or who pay taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number—may be uncertain about whether they meet the registration requirement.
“There’s a wide range of legal and registration statuses,” Gelatt said. “Filing taxes or holding an ITIN isn’t the same as formal registration.”
She urged people to seek legal counsel if possible, but acknowledged that many face difficult choices. “The requirement complicates decision-making,” she said. “Someone could be deported even if they’ve never committed a crime and pay taxes every year.”
The United Farm Workers Foundation expressed strong opposition to the rule and urged community members to seek legal advice. "“We are beyond disappointed that the regulation will go into effect and repeat shameful times in American history," the organization said in a statement to KZYX News. "This administration will cruelly use this regulation as a tool to separate families and further its mass deportation agenda. We strongly urge community members to speak with an attorney or accredited representative.”
On the same day the rule took effect, the ACLU released court documents showing that private prison operators Geo Group and CoreCivic submitted proposals to expand ICE detention facilities, including repurposing currently unused sites in Kern County—the location of recent controversial immigration sweeps.
The Department of Homeland Security recently told a federal court it plans to retrain more than 900 California-based Border Patrol agents. The announcement followed a CalMatters investigation which found that during January sweeps in Kern County, 77 of 78 people arrested had no known criminal or immigration history.
Advocates say the registration mandate, combined with increased detention proposals and questionable enforcement practices, will likely deepen fear and uncertainty for immigrant communities across California.
