The Trump administration has directed immigration authorities to confirm whether non-citizens have submitted their personal details to a digital registry, marking a new phase in the broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
According to a directive issued to field agents, any migrant found without proof of registration should be “treated as an immigration enforcement priority,” and the matter should be “referred to the US Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.”
An internal source at ICE noted that officials expect a large portion of undocumented migrants will avoid registering, effectively placing them in immediate jeopardy of detention and removal.
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, setting in motion the creation of this registry, which requires undocumented immigrants to provide identifying information or risk legal consequences.
Under the policy, all undocumented individuals aged 14 and above are now obligated to submit their fingerprints and residential addresses to the system or risk arrest and prosecution, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“Most aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law,” according to USCIS. “However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way in which to register and meet their obligation under INA [section] 262.
“In order that unregistered aliens may comply with their duty under INA [section] 262, USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which they may register. No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told The NY Post on Tuesday that violators may be fined as much as $1,000 for every day they remain unregistered.
Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported that failure to comply could result in jail time of up to six months.
“Everyone should know that because we’re enforcing the Alien Registration Act, if you’ve been here longer than 30 days and haven’t registered with the government, we are now coming after you criminally,” Noem warned while accompanying an ICE enforcement operation in Phoenix.
A legal attempt by immigrant advocacy groups to stop the registry was dismissed Thursday, when a federal court ruled in favor of the administration’s right to proceed with implementation and penalties.
“Plaintiffs have not shown that they are likely to succeed on the merits,” DC US District Court Judge Trevor McFadden ruled Thursday. “They have failed to demonstrate that they have standing to bring this suit.”
{Matzav.com}