Under United States law, many aliens who are here in the U.S. on a visa or are undocumented may need to comply with the alien registration requirement. These regulations apply to many aliens who are over 14 years old, plan to stay in the United States for at least 30 days, and have not been fingerprinted by U.S. agents before. The person would need to fill out a special form and register with the United States government. Registering as an alien does not give someone a lawful status, such as a visa. Because of this, the person may need to apply for other protections, such as asylum, as well.
Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C., is here to assist you with understanding and meeting your alien registration requirements under U.S. law. We can talk to you about your situation and create a plan for you to get fingerprinted and turn in the proper forms to protect you. Our experienced immigration lawyers are also prepared to help you apply for a visa, asylum, lawful permanent residence, or other immigration status.
Overview of Alien Registration in U.S. Immigration Law
The United States’ immigration law requires most aliens who are in the U.S. to be fingerprinted or registered. The purpose of this is so that the U.S. government is aware of who is within its borders. This registration requirement applies to all aliens who are over 14 years old and are or will be in the U.S. for 30 days or more. If the alien has already completed this step when they registered for a visa or were admitted to the U.S., they may not have to do this step again.
Who Is Required To Register as an Alien?
Anyone who is an alien and is 14 years of age or older must register with the United States government if they are in the U.S. for 30 days or longer. However, if they were fingerprinted when they applied for a visa or entry previously, they do not have to get fingerprinted a second time unless asked to. The alien registration requirement applies to people who are documented or undocumented. So, someone may still need to register even if they never applied for a visa or did not go through inspection when they came to the United States.
How To Obtain Your Alien Registration Number
You can obtain your alien registration number by following the updated procedures for registering as an alien. These processes can change, so it is important to make sure you are using the most recent instructions to complete this step.
For example, you may have to create an online account with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
From there, you may need to figure out if you are required and eligible to register. Then, you might fill out a form, such as Form G-325R, which tells the U.S. government information about you.
If you are registering on behalf of your child, you would need to make a new account in their name and complete the registration from that account. Once you have submitted all the required forms or supporting evidence, the government may contact you to schedule a time for you to be fingerprinted.
What Happens if You Fail To Register or Carry Proof?
After you get fingerprinted and registered with the U.S. government, you will be given proof of registration. You should carry this alien registration card or document with you at all times. You may be asked to show this to law enforcement or the U.S. authorities to prove that you are registered.
If you do not register and you should have, you may get arrested and face criminal charges or penalties. If you do not have proof of registration with you and you encounter police or government agents, you are also at risk of penalties. You are also required to update registration information, like your current address, in the future. If you do not do this, you may violate U.S. laws. This may make it harder for you to apply for other benefits and immigration-related requests.
Alien Registration Obligations for Documented and Undocumented Immigrants
The alien registration rules apply to documented and undocumented immigrants. This means that you would need to register and carry proof of registration even if you are undocumented and do not have lawful status, like a visa or asylum.
Getting fingerprinted or registered is not the same as applying for a visa or requesting permission to be in the United States legally. So, you may still have to ask for asylum, a visa, or a Green Card even if you complete the registration steps.
An immigration attorney can help you understand what your obligations are under the current laws. They can talk to you about your situation and see if you have already completed this step as part of your initial entry into the United States.
They can also help you turn in forms to register with the U.S. government or apply for lawful status like asylum, DACA, or a visa.
Contact an Experienced Immigration Lawyer at Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C.
Meeting the alien registration requirement is very important to help protect your rights and your ability to stay in the United States. You may need to register if you are at least 14 years old, have been in the United States for at least 30 days, and have not been fingerprinted by the U.S. government. Working with an attorney can help make sure you follow the correct procedure to register, so you limit your chances of facing criminal penalties.
Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C., is dedicated to helping people navigate the different immigration procedures in the United States. Our team can assist you in registering as an alien, requesting a visa, applying for asylum or DACA status, defending you against removal or deportation, and completing many other immigration-related steps.
Contact us today by calling 408-292-7995 to talk to us about what our seasoned legal professionals can do for you.
