Those in the country illegally must now register with the federal government by Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor Neil McFadden ruled one day earlier, in a new legal victory for President Trump.
Newsweek contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via email late Thursday night for comment.
Why It Matters
Since his inauguration on January 20, President Donald Trump has implemented significant change, primarily through executive orders, and has prioritized immigration as a key pillar.
Last month, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that authorizes the commander in chief to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was blocked in federal court, resulting in a contentious legal back and forth.
What To Know
In a separate decision, McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled in favor of DHS.
In the order, McFadden states: “The Interim Final Rule allows for the submission of a Form G-325R to register under the statute and regulations, as well as proof of filing a G-325R as evidence of registration under the statute and regulations.”
Plaintiffs argue that this expands the requirement for registration to include aliens who do not have immigration forms obtained through preexisting immigration programs. According to its terms, the Interim Final Rule will go into effect on April 11, 2025.
The Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights then sued to block the registration’s enforcement date through a preliminary injunction, but McFadden ultimately denied the request.
According to the Associated Press (AP), DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a press release following the order, saying: “President Trump and I have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may be able to return and enjoy our freedom while living the American dream,” Noem said.
“The Trump administration will enforce all immigration laws—we will not pick and choose which laws to enforce. “We must know who is in our country to ensure the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans,” she said.
The ruling comes amid growing concerns about mass deportations, which the Trump administration has promised to carry out following the president’s decisive election victory.
What People Are Saying
National Immigration Law Center’s deputy legal director, Nicholas EspÃritu, in a statement reported by AP on Thursday: “This disappointing ruling means that Trump’s scheme to force people to make an impossible choice will continue for the time being. As we consider the next steps in our case, we encourage affected community members to speak with an immigration attorney to better understand the consequences of registering or not.”
Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan, in a post to X, formerly Twitter, last month: “The US border is closed to lawbreakers. Today, numerous dangerous gang members were returned to Guantanamo Bay, ensuring that violent criminal illegal aliens remain far away from American neighborhoods.
Know this: our neighborhoods are closed off to you. Recent flights to Guantanamo demonstrate that the Trump administration means business. CBP [Customs and Border Protection] and ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] officers will not stop. Do not test our resolve! President Trump is fulfilling his promise by making our communities safer every day. ~ Thomas D. Homan. “US Border Czar”
What Happens Next
Those aged 14 and older who are illegally present in the country have 24 hours to register with the government, according to the Associated Press.
