Trump administration's ultimatum to foreign nationals living in America - If registration is not done within 30 days, then punishment of fine, jail or deportation!

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump's government has issued a new and strict decree, which has become a cause of concern for all foreign nationals. The Trump administration has announced that all foreign nationals who are staying in America for more than 30 days, it is mandatory for them to register with the government within 30 days, otherwise they may face heavy fines, jail or deportation. This policy has come into effect from April 11, 2025, and it is being considered as a part of Trump's "America First" agenda. Let us discuss this ultimatum and its impact in detail.

What is the new rule?

The Trump administration issued an executive order (Executive Order 14159) titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" upon taking office on January 20, 2025, which imposed a registration requirement on all foreign nationals. Under this rule, all foreign nationals aged 14 years or older who live or plan to stay in the US for more than 30 days must register online on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. The registration process involves submitting fingerprints, address, and other biometric information.

On April 11, 2025, a federal judge Trevor Neil McFadden (Trump Appointee) allowed this rule to be implemented, after which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem gave an ultimatum to all foreign nationals. Noem said, "If you are in the United States for more than 30 days and do not register, you may be fined, imprisoned, or both. If you are still illegally staying, leave the country immediately, or you will be arrested and deported."

What are the punishments and penalties?

Foreign nationals may face severe punishment for not registering. According to US law (8 U.S.C. § 1306), failing to register will be considered a federal misdemeanor offense, which can carry a maximum of 6 months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. In addition, if a person is 18 years of age or older and does not have proof of registration, he or she can be fined up to $5,000 and sentenced to up to 30 days in prison. In addition, if a person changes their address and does not update it within 10 days, they can be fined up to $200 or jailed for 30 days. The most severe punishment is deportation, under which the foreign national will be expelled from the US forever and will never be allowed to enter again.

Who does this rule affect?

This rule applies not only to illegal immigrants (undocumented immigrants), but also to legal visa holders, students, workers, and even Canadian "snowbirds" (who live in places like Florida in the winter). Specifically, people who enter the US after April 11, 2025, must register within 30 days. Children under the age of 14 must be registered by their parents or guardians.

Opposition and legal challenges

The rule is being opposed by several immigrant rights organizations, such as the American Immigration Council and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). These organizations have alleged that this rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act and has been implemented without public comments. A lawsuit has also been filed, claiming that this policy is intimidating people and forcing them to self-deport.

However, Judge McFadden ruled that the protesting organizations did not have the legal standing to challenge this rule, giving relief to the Trump administration. #TrumpImmigrationPolicy and #ForeignRegistration are trending on social media, where many users have termed this move as "racial profiling" and "human rights violation".

Conclusion

This ultimatum of the Trump administration is bringing a big change for foreign citizens living in America. While the government is calling it a part of "security and law and order", the immigrant community is finding it discriminatory and scary. The threat of fines, jail, or deportation for not registering within 30 days could affect the lives of millions. It will be important to see in the coming days whether legal challenges change this rule or Trump's policy becomes even more stringent.