President Trump’s plan to require all illegal migrants to register their identity is expected to make it easier for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to round up those who entered the US illegally, as the majority may not comply with the registration requirement. The plan aims to move millions of migrants out of the immigration court system and expedite their detention and deportation by slapping them with criminal charges. However, sources indicate that many immigrants may not report to register, making it challenging to track them down.
Former Denver ICE chief John Fabbricatore stated that this move puts more consequences on being in the country without permission, converting what is currently considered a civil offense into a criminal one. The plan is a significant extension of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts, which have primarily targeted criminals but are now shifting towards all illegal migrants. Reports have emerged that ICE is broadening its crackdown, with many migrants who have not been charged with crimes being arrested in immigration raids.
Under Trump’s registration plan, all illegal immigrants over the age of 14 will be required to submit their fingerprints and home addresses to the registry. Those who fail to register could face fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, aliens in the country illegally will have to choose between returning home and following the legal process or facing the consequences of continuing to violate US laws. ICE has already picked up 20,000 migrants in one month, nearly matching the total caught by the Biden administration in the entire fiscal year.
The registration process will require illegal migrants to submit their information within 30 days, and they will be issued evidence of registration to carry with them at all times. Failure to comply with the registration requirements can result in criminal and civil penalties, including misdemeanor prosecution and fines. The US government has previously created similar registries, such as one targeting suspected communist immigrants in the 1940s, which was later discontinued due to high costs. Former President George W. Bush also implemented an immigration registry after the 9/11 attacks, leading to the arrest and deportation of tens of thousands of immigrants.
In regards to enforcement, sources suspect that migrants with pending asylum claims or similar applications may comply with the registration in an effort to prove their compliance and avoid accusations of cheating. However, the general sentiment among officials is that many illegal migrants are unlikely to report for registration, posing challenges for ICE in identifying and deporting them. The Trump administration’s focus on deporting millions of migrants will require a rapid acceleration in arrests, potentially straining federal agents’ resources and efficiency in carrying out the mass deportation efforts.
