Washington, D.C. — A federal judge has granted the Trump administration the green light to enforce a sweeping new immigration directive that mandates all individuals residing in the U.S. illegally to register with the federal government and carry documentation—a move poised to reshape immigration enforcement nationwide.
The ruling by Judge Trevor Neil McFadden, a Trump appointee, dismissed lawsuits from immigrant rights groups on procedural grounds, stating the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to block the measure. The new requirement takes effect Friday, triggering immediate implications for millions of undocumented immigrants across the United States.
“Leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a hardline statement, reinforcing the administration’s strict approach to immigration control. “We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans.”
According to estimates, 2.2 to 3.2 million people could be impacted by the rule, which applies to everyone aged 14 and above without legal status in the U.S. Registrants must submit fingerprints, addresses, and carry proof of registration at all times. Parents of minors under 14 are required to register on their behalf.
While the Trump administration argues that the law has always existed — citing the Alien Registration Act of 1940 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 — critics point out that enforcement has historically been rare. The most significant past enforcement occurred post-9/11 under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, which disproportionately targeted males from majority Muslim nations and led to over 13,000 deportation proceedings without a single terrorism conviction.
Critics, including the National Immigration Law Center, condemned the ruling, warning it could pressure families into an impossible decision: comply and risk deportation, or defy the order and face criminal charges. “Trump’s scheme to force people into an impossible choice moves forward,” said Nicholas Espíritu, the group’s deputy legal director.
The rule even applies to long-term Canadian visitors in the U.S., including retirees (known as “snowbirds”) who stay beyond 30 days, signaling the broad reach of the new policy.
Legal experts predict more lawsuits could follow as civil rights organizations regroup and weigh their next move. In the meantime, undocumented residents are being urged to consult immigration attorneys immediately.
The Department of Homeland Security has directed those affected to register via the USCIS website, with failure to comply punishable by fines and jail time.
This is the latest in a series of escalations by the Trump administration as it seeks to deliver on campaign promises of mass deportations and tighter immigration controls—policies likely to fuel continued debate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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