Trump Proposes Fines, Prison Time for Migrants Who Don’t Join Registry

Administration establishes registration website for immigrants in U.S. illegally

By Michelle HackmanFollow

Updated Feb. 25, 2025 7:16 pm ETShareResize

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Failure to register could subject an immigrant to a $5,000 fine or up to six months in prison, documents show. Photo: Kevin Mohatt/Reuters

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration created a registry for immigrants in the U.S. illegally to submit their personal information or face fines and prison time, according to documents including a draft regulation seen by The Wall Street Journal. 

Immigrants in the country illegally including children 14 and older would be required to submit fingerprints and home addresses to the registry, the documents show. Immigrants who qualify but fail to register could be fined up to $5,000 and sentenced to up to six months in prison.

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