Trump Administration to Implement National Registry for Undocumented Migrants

• Feb 27, 2025

US President Donald Trump’s administration has announced plans to establish a national registry for undocumented migrants, with potential legal consequences for those who fail to comply.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed on Tuesday that all undocumented migrants aged 14 and older will be required to provide the U.S. government with their address and fingerprints.

This initiative is the latest effort in the Trump administration’s push to reshape the U.S. immigration system. While previous pledges of mass arrests and deportations have not been fully realized, the administration continues to seek measures aimed at tightening immigration enforcement.

Experts caution that implementing the registry could be challenging due to enforcement difficulties and logistical barriers.

DHS has cited a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act as the legal basis for the move. Though rarely enforced, a similar measure was introduced in 1940 during World War II, requiring undocumented immigrants to register at local post offices amid heightened national security concerns.

In a statement on Tuesday night, DHS suggested that the policy might lead to widespread "self-deportation," which it described as a "safer" solution for both migrants and law enforcement. The department also emphasized that the measure would help conserve immigration enforcement resources.

“President Trump and [Homeland Security] Secretary [Kristi] Noem have a clear message for those in the country illegally: leave now,” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said.

“If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return legally and live the American dream,” she added. “We must know who is in our country to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.”

According to a separate memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), lawful residents, visa holders, and those already engaged in immigration proceedings are exempt from the registration requirement.

With an estimated 13 million undocumented migrants in the U.S., the number of individuals who will comply with the directive remains uncertain.

The National Immigration Law Center, an advocacy organization, criticized the move, arguing that it could serve as a tool to identify individuals for detention and deportation. The group also drew historical parallels to past registries used to target individuals considered national security threats during World War II.

Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council, expressed skepticism about the directive’s effectiveness.

“Without assurances, it’s hard to imagine undocumented migrants complying with this new requirement,” she told the BBC. “Essentially, the government is asking individuals to come forward and register while simultaneously signaling a commitment to mass deportations.”

Gupta noted that most undocumented migrants in the U.S. have lived in the country for over 15 years, making them even less likely to comply.

“This policy is another step in the Trump administration’s broader goal of mass deportations,” she added.

While large-scale removals have been a core part of Trump’s immigration agenda, reports suggest dissatisfaction within the administration regarding the current pace of deportations.

According to data obtained by Reuters, approximately 38,000 people were deported during Trump’s first month in office, compared to a monthly average of about 57,000 during President Joe Biden’s final year.

Despite this, the White House has touted a 36% decline in border crossings in January 2025 compared to December 2024. The drop is attributed in part to expectations of stricter immigration policies under the new administration. The Biden administration was responsible for border management during the first three weeks of December before Trump assumed office.