04/13/2025
Trump has recently issued a new Department of Homeland security order that has caused a lot of confusion in the immigrant community. The new order requires undocumented people who have been here more than 30 days to register with the government or face additional charges. The registration is done via the web where people are asked to confirm their status, address and provide fingerprints.
This is not legal advice. But we need to inform people about what this registration process does and does not. The Trump admin claims if you self deport now, you will have an option to return to the US and if you don't, you will be found and deported never able to return. But that isn't quite true.
Immigrants, undocumented or not, under their legal process or proceedings should already be registered with the government. If you are one of the following you are already registered:
A green card. If you are a permanent resident, you are registered.
A work permit, even if it is now expired. If you have an employment authorization card, for any reason, you are registered.
An I-94. If you got an I-94 document, or received an I-94 electronically, when you entered the United States, you are registered. This includes entries with parole or a visa. If you got an I-94 when you got status, such as asylee, or U nonimmigrant, you are registered.
An NTA. If you were issued a Notice to Appear in immigration court, you are registered. If you were issued an Order to Show cause (OSC) or a referral to the immigration judge, you are registered.
A Border Crossing Card.
A Landing Permit as a crewman.
If you have applied for lawful permanent residence or temporary residence you are registered, even if that application was denied. (Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700)
So, you should not have to re-register with that app if you fall into those categories.
If you have not gone through any legal process, you are not registered. But in that case, also be aware registering with the app is an admission of guilt to breaking the law and signing that you are willing to waive legal options to fight the deportation. It also is admitting that you have been here 30 days in violation of the order.
Remember even with the executive order, the admin would have to prove in court beyond a reasonable doubt that you were here in violation of the order, meaning 30 days and undocumented without any legal standing. The order also does not say when the person has to submit their registration possibly allowing other legal avenues to fight it.
We don't really know if you will get any relief if you register. We do know you will be deported if you do. We also know if you register you waive certain legal options, if you don't you still have to be caught, still have legal options, although may face other penalties.
So what should you do?
First talk to an immigration attorney and get actual legal advice. The stuff we and others are telling you on the Internet is not good legal advice nor will it always apply to your specific case.
Second, make sure people know this is going on, make sure people scared into signing up before weighing the options. The following website has some information and resources that can help you and others make the decision. Please share it.
The Trump admin is lying to get people to sign up. That should already raise red flags.
Third we don't know what else they are going to do to try to trick and pressure people into deporting. What we do know is they will be using any information they can get and any legal and / or illegal moves to remove more and more gente. Their efforts are all about reducing the Brown US population through ethnic cleansing.
Years ago when DACA and ITIN options opened we cautioned ppl to be aware that giving your information to the government could one day be used against you. We never told people not to follow the advice of other organizations that urged them to register.
We did however tell people the decision was up to them but to be aware that if the government one day decided to abuse it, they could with the information provided. Take this into consideration if you are undocumented and filing your taxes or other documents. You may consider using a PO box or other mailing address for certain mail correspondence to add some additional protections.
Remember if the government has your address right now, nothing is stopping them from going to your home and trying to deport you or your family members.
All that being said be aware their greatest weapon is fear. Be aware that they are trying to scare people into self deporting because they know they don't have the resources to find and deport everyone right now.
If you have signed up before, it doesn't mean they will come kicking down your door. It also means though that you need to make sure you are informed about what your legal rights and options are.
It also means that for all of us the path forward is clear. What we need to do is help people stay informed, get access to legal services and do whatever we can to make it harder and more expensive for them to carry out their ethnic cleansing campaign.
Peace.
Asylum Community Resources DACA Enforcement Family-Based General Immigrant Youth Temporary Protected Status U Visa/T Visa/VAWA Share The Trump administration’s Registration requirement for most undocumented immigrants is another hateful tactic in its campaign to cause panic and fear throughout the...
