Trump Admin to Set Up Mandatory Registry for Unauthorized Migrants

The Trump administration is implementing a new registry requiring unauthorized migrants in the U.S. to submit personal information, including fingerprints and home addresses.

The Details: The move comes as part of President Trump’s day one order, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” Based on a little-used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the policy mandates that individuals over 14 who are in the U.S. unlawfully must register and report any address changes to the government. The registry, which could launch as early as this week, will be online and enforced by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

For Context: The move is part of a broader effort to track and regulate undocumented migrants in the country. Migrants currently in the country unlawfully are committing a civil offense, not a criminal one, but can still face detainment or deportation. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) reported that migrants who don’t register could face up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

How The Media Covered It: Both The New York Post (Lean Right) and Associated Press (Left) noted that the U.S. previously created immigrant registries in 1940 to “snuff out suspected communists” and following the 9/11 terror attacks. The Hill (Center) and Associated Press both wrote that the move could end up ineffective as unauthorized migrants might not choose to register because they could face deportation.