Alien Registration Requirment and Form G-235R

If you’re an immigrant or undocumented individual living in the United States, you may have recently heard about the government’s renewed focus on alien registration.  April 11, 2025, was the deadline requiring certain people to register using a new online process.

What is noncitizen registration?

The Trump administration is using a World War II-era law to try to make immigrant families give their personal information, including their addresses, to immigration officials. This process is called registration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said that the goal of registration is to find and deport undocumented immigrants who register, or pressure them to leave the U.S. on their own. DHS has also threatened that people who don’t register could face criminal charges and has suggested that families leave the United States on their own to avoid being deported or prosecuted.

Who is the government telling to register their information?

The government’s new rule says that adults and children over 14 years old who entered the U.S. without permission and haven’t had contact with immigration authorities must now register. If you’ve ever applied for an immigration status or benefit or been in deportation proceedings, you might already be considered to have registered – see more information below. The government is also telling parents or legal guardians of children under 14 years old who entered without permission and have never had any contact with immigration authorities to register their children. Finally, the government is telling all non-citizens who it says are required to register to tell the government within ten days of any change of address.

Who is considered to have already registered?

The government considers many groups of people, including some people without lawful status, to have already registered with the government. According to the new rule the government published, the following groups of people are considered to have already registered, although it’s best to talk to an experienced immigration lawyer to understand your specific situation.

Green card holders (lawful permanent residents)

People who were granted parole, including advance parole (even if that parole has expired)

People who came to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa (even if it has expired)

People who are already in immigration court (removal) proceedings

People granted employment authorization on any basis (even if it has expired)

Refugees

People who applied for lawful permanent residence (even if the application was denied)

People who have border crossing cards or entered the U.S. as a “crewman”

What happens if I register my information?

What could happen will depend on your individual situation. Both complying with registration and failing to comply may have negative, life-lasting consequences. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated that the goal of the registration process is to force people to leave the United States.

What happens if I do not register my information?

The government has also threatened consequences for people who are instructed to register but don’t, including criminal and immigration penalties.

Appointments are available to discuss the registration requirements or to help with the registration process.  Call us 718-793-7800 or email queensimmigration@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.