An interim final rule, Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration, was published by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on March 12, 2025 and will become effective April 11, 2025. This rule provides details regarding who and how certain individuals must “register” or “re-register” with the U.S. Government to comply with the statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Note: A lawsuit was filed by the American Immigration Council on March 31, 2025, seeking to block implementation of this rule. We will monitor the status of the lawsuit, and inform the MIT international community of any material updates. Until informed otherwise, however, nonimmigrant children should plan to comply.
The rule requires children who turn 14 while in the U.S. to "re-register" with USCIS within 30 days of their 14th birthday, even if previously registered when entering the country. This may affect, for example, children of international students and scholars in F-2, J-2, H-4, TD, E-3, and O-3 status, as well as F-1 and J-1 students who entered the U.S. before age 14. Also impacted are foreign nationals who acquired U.S. lawful permanent residence status before age 14. Questions regarding the legal obligations of lawful permanent residents should be discussed with an experienced immigration lawyer.
Most nonimmigrants (for example, individuals in F-1, J-1, TN, H-1B, O-1, E-3, and similar status and their dependents) who were aged 14 or over when they entered the U.S. are already registered with the U.S. government. When nonimmigrants receive a visa at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate, are inspected at a U.S. port of entry, and receive a Form I-94 arrival-departure record (either electronically or on paper), this represents their registration, and they DON’T need to re-register.
The rule:
- Designates a new registration form, Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration) to be completed by subject individuals to comply with statutory alien registration and fingerprinting provisions. More information and instructions on “How to Register” is available on the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration.
- Amends the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 8 CFR 264.1(a) and (b) to include the G-325R among the acceptable registration forms and types of evidence of registration.
A “Quick Reference” summary and additional information is available on the NAFSA website.
International scholars, please also review Maintaining Your Valid Immigration Status regarding other important government requirements.
If you have questions after thoroughly reading the requirements and instructions, please reach out to an International Scholars Office or International Students Office advisor.