Trump Admin to Create National Registry for Illegal Immigrants: Report
The Trump administration is preparing to implement a registry requiring illegal immigrants in the United States to submit personal information or face criminal prosecution, according to documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal.
The proposed registry would mandate that all individuals in the country illegally aged 14 and older provide fingerprints and home addresses. Failure to comply could result in criminal charges, including up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem outlined the administration’s stance in a memo, stating, “They can return home and follow the legal process to come to the United States or they can deal with the consequences of continuing to violate our laws.”
The administration plans to enforce the registry using a 1940 immigration law originally enacted to track suspected communists. The initiative would target illegal immigrants who have not interacted with the government in the past 30 days—such as by applying for a work permit or asylum. Once the registry is established, individuals would have one month to comply.
The Wall Street Journal report referenced a similar program enacted under President George W. Bush following the 9/11 attacks, which required “men and boys from predominantly Muslim countries” to register. That program reportedly resulted in thousands of arrests and deportations.
The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a top priority, receiving broad support from the American public. Last week, Trump signed an executive order cutting all federal funding for programs aiding illegal immigrants. Since taking office, he has declared a national emergency at the southern border, deployed military assets to bolster security, and designated several Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations to expand US efforts against them.
