A federal judge on Thursday allowed the Trump administration to move forward with a requirement that everyone in the U.S. illegally must register with the federal government and carry documentation, in a move that could have far-reaching repercussions for immigrants across the country.
Judge Trevor Neil McFadden — a Trump appointee — sided with the administration, which had argued that officials were simply enforcing a requirement that already existed for everyone who is in the country but isn’t an American citizen. McFadden’s ruling didn’t go into the substance of those arguments but rested largely on the technical issue of whether the groups pushing to stop the requirement had standing to pursue their claims. He ruled they didn’t.
The requirement goes into effect Friday.
Immediately after the ruling, Department of Homeland Security officials emphasized in a news release that the deadline to register for those who’ve already been in the country for 30 days or more is Friday and that going forward, the registration requirement would be enforced to the fullest.
While questions remain about how the registration requirement will function, its impact is potentially far-reaching. The Trump administration — which has worked to make good on campaign promises of mass deportations — has said between 2.2 million and 3.2 million people could be affected.
Homeland Security officials announced Feb. 25 that it was mandating that all people in the United States illegally register with the federal government, and said those who didn’t self-report could face fines or prosecution. Failure to register is considered a crime, and people will be required to carry registration documents with them or risk prison time and fines.
Registration will be mandatory for everyone 14 and older without legal status. People registering have to provide their fingerprints and address, and parents and guardians of anyone under age 14 must ensure they registered.
The registration process also applies to Canadians who are in the U.S. for more than 30 days, including so-called snowbirds who spend winter months in places like Florida.
Posted by John3262005
5 Comments
What? How the fuck are they going to enforce this.
“Hello government, I am indeed an illegal”
I also declare that all murderers and drug dealers must immediately identify themselves to the nearest police station.
I agree – automatic green cards for all
Literally nothing will change. Undocumented immigrants aren’t undocumented because they don’t want to be documented, but because the bureaucracy meant to document them is criminally behind schedule and people don’t get to cryonically freeze themselves pending bureaucratic permission to exist. It’s like making a law requiring Half Life 3 to be completed and released immediately, it doesn’t work that way, it requires manhours and labor to complete.
Isn’t this kinda already how it works? Like what else is being documented than declaring yourself to the govt and being accepted