REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN AND MINORS – EFFECTIVE APRIL 11, 2025
- March 31st, 2025
- in Capstone International Services
New USCIS guidance published on February 25, 2025 and which will go into effect on April 11, 2025 will require young nonimmigrants who turn 14 while in the U.S. to “re-register” with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday, even if previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, F-2, J-2, H-4 dependents and young F-1/J-1 students who entered before age 14. Most nonimmigrants who entered the U.S. at age 14+ are already automatically registered (as evidenced by their Form I-94) and DON’T need to re-register.
Read the USCIS page: Alien Registration Requirement (February 25, 2025, updated March 12, 2025); The USCIS guidance references statutes and regulations as well as Executive Order 14159 of January 20, 2025: Protecting The American People Against Invasion (see 90 FR 8443 (January 29, 2025)) as the legal basis for the agency action.
New requirement affects young people who turn 14 while staying in the United States:
- Those who turn 14 years old while in the U.S. must register again within 30 days of their 14th birthday; the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states that those who must register include: “Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.”
- This applies even for those who were properly registered when they first entered the country under age 14
- For example, this rule affects dependents with F-2, J-2, and H-4 status, as well as young students with F-1 and J-1 status (such as boarding school students) who entered the United States under age 14 and have remained in the U.S.; it also affects immigrants (green card holders) who acquired their lawful permanent residence under age 14 when they turn 14 years old
Regarding the 14-year-old requirement the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states: “This includes:
- “All aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days;
- The parents or legal guardians of aliens less than 14 years of age: Parents or legal guardians must apply for the registration of aliens less than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, before the expiration of those 30 days; and
- Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States, within 30 days after their 14th birthday.”
Individuals who have not be registered must also now register. In addition to the requirement for 14-year-olds to re-register, the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page states: “Anyone who has not applied to the Department of State for a visa, been issued one of the documents designated as evidence of registration under 8 CFR 264.1(b), or has not submitted one of the forms designated at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and provided fingerprints (unless waived) is not registered. Aliens who have not registered include:
- Aliens present in the United States without inspection and admission or inspection and parole who have not otherwise registered (that is, aliens who crossed the border illegally);
- Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration; and
- Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed in 8 CFR 264.1(b).”
How to complete the re-registration. See the USCIS Alien Registration Requirement page for instructions on filing Form G-235R. Form G-325R must be filed online through a USCIS online account. It cannot be filed by mail or in person.
Where can I get advice on my or my family’s obligations to register or re-register? Individuals with questions about their and their family’s legal obligations to provide information to the U.S. government can contact an experienced Immigration Attorney or assistance through the Immigration Advocates Network.
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