Washington: The White House announced that all foreign nationals staying in the country for more than 30 days will have to register with the federal government. If they do not do so, they will have to face fines, jail and deportation.
This announcement has created concern among immigrant communities across America. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said, ‘All foreign nationals staying in the United States for more than 30 days will have to register with the federal government. Failure to comply is a crime for which there is a provision of fine, imprisonment or both.’
“If you don’t do this, you will be arrested, fined, deported and never be able to return to our country,” Levitt said. The directive, based on the decades-old Alien Registration Act from World War II, was given the green light after a ruling by Trump-appointed US District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, who dismissed a legal challenge from advocacy groups.
Proof of registration will have to be carried at all times
The judge ruled that the plaintiffs lacked sufficient legal grounds to stop the rule from being implemented. This cleared the way for the controversial directive to come into effect. Under the new rule, foreign nationals – [including visa holders and legal permanent residents] – will have to carry proof of registration at all times. This directive applies to individuals staying in the US for more than 30 days. This also includes newly arrived foreign nationals, who will have to register within a month of entering the country if they do not have valid documents.
Fingerprints will have to be provided for identification.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has clarified that persons entering the US after April 11 must register within 30 days. Children who have completed the age of 14 years will also have to register again and give fingerprints, even if they have already registered. Levitt, who also works as an assistant to President Donald Trump, said that this decision is about national security and law enforcement. She said, ‘The Trump administration will continue to enforce the immigration laws of our country. We will not choose which laws to enforce. We have to know who is in our country, so that our motherland and all American citizens can be protected.’
