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Immigration News Briefs

Provided by Humera Subhani

April 2025

On March 12, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) which will take effect within 30 days requiring individuals to register their presence and provide their fingerprints if they are in the U.S. for 30 days or more. Of particular note is that those with children in the U.S. as nonimmigrants must be mindful that their children will need to register and appear for fingerprinting within 30 days of turning 14. Also, Canadians entering the U.S. for business purposes for 30 days or more must take action to register.

What needs to be done? Potential penalties

Register at USCIS.gov and provide fingerprints (Penalty is a fine of up to $5000, imprisonment up to 180 days, or both; fraudulent registration constitutes grounds of deportability); AND
Carry evidence of compliance if one is age 18 or over (Penalty is a misdemeanor with fine of up to $5000, imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both); AND
Notify the Department of Homeland Security in writing of each change of address within 10 days of moving (Penalty is a misdemeanor with fine of up to $5000, imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both)

Who needs to register and provide fingerprints?

All noncitizens above the age of 14 who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer—with some exceptions (see below).

For those noncitizens under the age of 14 and who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer, their parents/ guardians must register them. No fingerprinting is required. However, within 30 days of their 14th birthday, the noncitizen must apply in person for registration and be fingerprinted.

Who is exempt?

Visa holders who have been already registered and fingerprinted through their application for a visa; A visa holders; G visa holders; Those in U.S. for less than 30 days; and if an LPR is outside of the U.S. when s/he turns 14, the individual must apply for registration and provide a photograph within 30 days of return.

What evidence is available to show registration?

This is a list of the more common forms of evidence of registration, but others may also be included – see the IFR for more information:

Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record – noncitizens admitted as nonimmigrants; noncitizens paroled into the US under 212(d)(5) of the INA; noncitizens who claimed to have entered prior to July 1, 1924; and noncitizens granted permission to depart without the institution of deportation proceedings;
Form I-185, Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card;
Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card;
Form I-862, Notice to Appear, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted;
Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted;
Valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport;
Proof of Registration upon submission of Form

G-325R at USCIS.gov and completion of biometrics. One should carry this evidence at all times. Details are changing and developing regularly, and we will update you through Khabar and through our website (www.subhani-law.com).

APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR APRIL 2025

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Mar16	15Mar16
2A	01Jan22	01Jan22
2B	22Jul16	22Jul16
3rd	01Apr11	**01Apr11**
4th	05Jun06	01Aug07

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Feb22	Current
2nd	01Jan13	22Jun23
3rd	01Apr13	**01Jan23**
Other	01Apr13	22May21
4th	U	U
5th	01Nov19	Current1B

DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - APRIL 2025

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	01Sep17	01Sep17
2A	15Oct24	15Oct24
2B	01Jan17	01Jan17
3rd	22Jul12	22Jul12
4th	01Oct06	01Apr08

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Apr22	Current
2nd	01Feb13	01Aug23
3rd	08Jun13	01Mar23
Other	08Jun13	22Jun21
4th	01Feb21	01Feb21
5th	01Apr22	Current1B