Overview

• The Trump administration has introduced a federal registry requiring undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older to submit fingerprints, home addresses, and other personal details.
• Failure to comply with the registry could result in fines of up to $5,000 or six months in federal prison, with registration cards required to be carried at all times.
• Advocacy groups and immigration lawyers warn the policy could escalate fear and anxiety, making immigrants more vulnerable to deportation by ICE.
• The policy is based on the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which has not been enforced in decades, prompting legal experts to question its modern-day applicability.
• Community leaders predict low compliance with the registry, citing mistrust of federal authorities and fears of being targeted for deportation.