All immigrants to the US, including Indians who hold H1-B visas and Green Cards, are now required to carry relevant documents on their person round the clock in the US. The new rule came into force from April 11.
This was announced by the Donald Trump administration as a US court allowed it to enforce a rule requiring illegal immigrants in the US to register with the government and carry documentation.
The rule, part of Trump’s executive order — ‘Protecting the American People Against Invasion’, came into effect on April 11. It is the latest in a string of swift moves by the US President to crack down on illegal immigration and deport millions living illegally in that country. The Alien Registration Requirement (ARR) traces its origins to the Alien Registration Act of 1940 that also required immigrants in the US to register, but it was never consistently enforced. The new rules will ensure strict enforcement.
Basically, the new requirement mainly impacts illegal or undocumented immigrants. All non-citizens above the age of 14 and who remain in the US for 30 days or more have to mandatorily register with the government by filling ‘Form G-325R’. Parents will have to register those who are under the age of 14.
Moreover, those arriving in the US on or after April 11 have to register within 30 days of arrival. Those failing to comply may be fined, imprisoned, or both. Those changing their address will have to report within 10 days, failing which they can be fined as high as $5,000. Moreover, children of immigrants turning 14 have to re-register with the Government and submit their fingerprints within 30 days of turning 14.
However, those with a valid visa (work or study) or holding a Green Card are considered to have already registered and will not have to fill in the form again. Thus, Indian nationals with an H1-B visa or international students, a major chunk of whom are Indians, will not have to register.
However, they will have to carry documentation with them round the clock and will have to furnish it when asked by authorities.
“All non-citizens, 18 and older, must carry this documentation (registration proof) at all times. The administration has directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritise enforcement. There will be no sanctuary for noncompliance,” Kristi Noem, DHS secretary, said in a statement.
There are around 5.4 million Indians in the United States. According to 2022 data, there are 2,20,000 illegal Indian immigrants in the US. This constitutes just 2 per cent of the total number of illegal immigrants in the United States.
The DHS said registration ensures the Government knows about your presence. If one does not have proper legal documents, steps will be taken to deport the individual. Among other things, the registration form asks for address, personal information on a person and his or her family, and immigration status.
The form also has a Section that requires an individual to detail if they have committed any crimes. One may be charged with a crime based on the information. Those who fail to register could be fined or jailed for up to six months.
