Judge allows requirement that everyone in the US illegally must register to move forward

AP ^ | 4/10/25 | REBECCA SANTANA

[CFW]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge is allowing the Trump administration to move forward with a requirement that everyone in the U.S. illegally must register with the federal government, in a move that could have far-reaching repercussions for immigrants across the country.

In a ruling Thursday, Judge Trevor Neil McFadden sided with the administration, which had argued that they were simply enforcing an already existing requirement for everyone in the country who wasn’t an American citizen to register with the government.

[snip]

Federal immigration law has long required that people who aren’t American citizens and live in the U.S., including those here illegally, register with the government. Those laws can be traced back to the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which came amid growing fears of immigrants and political subversives in the early days of World War II. The current requirements stem from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

But the requirement that people illegally in the U.S. register has been enforced only in rare circumstances. In fact, advocates opposing the government say it hasn’t been universally used since it was first introduced in the mid-1940s.

[dp0622]

it is good news.

Still it sounds kind of strange.

Like saying all thieves shoud register from now on, even the ones that weren’t caught :)

I guess it’s a good way to get them to come out of the shadows and then get rid of them later.

I’m too soft though..if someone is here 20 or so years and has worked hard the whole time and never been arrested for another crime...hit him with a HUGE fine...and give him some kind of non citizen status that needs to be approved again every 5 years..i dunno.

like i said..too soft :)

[ken in texas]

Back in the ‘50s, early in the year TV stations would run public service announcements warning that all aliens must register with the government or they would be forced to leave the country.

[Beave Meister]

Hear, hear. Finally a Judge that understands the Constitution.

[AndyJackson]

this law is an old law so can't be enforced

we already apply that to the Constitution.

[SENTINEL]

"this law is an old law so can't be enforced"

So is "Thou shalt not murder"...

You point out the stupidest argument the demonrats have ever made.

[Az Joe]

Used to be a PSA in the ‘60s telling Alines to make sure they register and keep their info up to date with the INS.

[CFW]

Just think of the argument we will have when they scream “Registration is the first step before confiscation!”

The difference is that the Second Administration is a right. Coming to America illegally is not.

[RetiredTexasVet]

Bingo. Eliminate the financial incentives and watch the thieves scurry away to California, NY, etc.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"...advocates opposing the government say it hasn’t been universally used since it was first introduced in the mid-1940s." Of course. "Advocates" say "We ignored the Alien Registration Act of 1940 since it was passed and there's absolutely no reason to enforce the law now." What's the sense of even having a Congress to pass laws if they are ignored from the get-go? Just disband Congress and be done with it.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Or "we'll just ignore this law like we ignore all other laws."

I hope they enforce ALL the requirements of the act. Here's a summary:

Registration Requirements of the Alien Registration Act of 1940

The Alien Registration Act of 1940, also known as the Smith Act, mandated that non-citizens in the United States register with the federal government. Below are the key registration requirements:

1. Who Had to Register:
   • All non-citizens (aliens) aged 14 and older residing in the U.S. were required to register.
   • Parents or guardians were responsible for registering children under 14.
2. Registration Process:
   • Non-citizens had to report to a post office or other designated government office to complete a registration form.
   • The form required personal information, including name, address, date and place of birth, citizenship, length of U.S. residency, occupation, physical description, and details about their entry into the country.
   • Registrants were fingerprinted as part of the process.
3. Timing:
   • Registration was required by December 26, 1940, for most, with later deadlines for those entering the U.S. afterward.
   • New arrivals had to register within 30 days of entering the country.
4. Ongoing Requirements:
   • Registered aliens were issued an alien registration receipt card, which they had to carry at all times.
   • They were required to notify the government of any change of address within five days.
5. Penalties:
   • Failure to comply with registration or notification requirements could result in fines, imprisonment, or DEPORTATION.

The law was enacted to monitor non-citizens for national security purposes during the lead-up to World War II and applied to all aliens regardless of immigration status. It also included provisions criminalizing advocacy for overthrowing the government, though these were separate from the registration requirements.

Maybe we can hit all the violent Tesla and anti-Trump / Musk demonstrations with the charge of advocating overthrowing the government.

[Freedom4US]

Illegal aliens are also liable for the Draft. They need to Register. Or they could lose their Federally Guaranteed Student Loans!

[Freedom4US]

Foreign nationals were not allowed to own Short Wave radios. They could take them to a radio repair shop, who would disable the shortwave bands, if they wanted to keep it.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“Foreign nationals were not allowed to own Short Wave radios”

Made a lot of sense back then. Today, the government hands out cell phones to the illegals like candy.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“There really isn’t any basis to question the law.”

Really? Where have you been living? The basis is simply “we don’t like that law and won’t enforce it.”

[AZJeep]

AND, according to the Administration, you will never be able to come back to the US again.
_________

I think this is the current law of the land. Once deported, you shall NEVER return.
Actually, that is the international law too. Countries have the right to deport pretty much anyone, who is not their citizen, and once deported, you are out for good!
Deportation is a serious judicial act, not just dropping somebody at the border and let them come back the same day.

I actually met somebody who was deported from Hungary!
He got huge, page size, stamp in his passport, with bunch of signatures, and was told “Do not ever try to show up here again!”

That’s why I am so puzzled by those people, who were deported like 40 times! How comes? Once deported, you should automatically go to jail, if you ever show up here again!

[Tennessee Nana]

No this is not going to hurt one IMMIGRANT...

This is for the illegal aliens...

BTW as an IMMIGRANT Ive been registered for years but the govt hasnt given me a free plane ride back home...

I have to pay for my own...

[DownInFlames]

Your papers please.

[Jim Noble]

After Christmas and before New Year’s Eve, all the TV stations in New York used to broadcast a PSA reminding any aliens living in the broadcast area to register before January 1.

I don’t think the pro-open borders crowd (D and R) appreciate what a bad look it is to basically say “You don’t have to obey the law”.

[Jim Noble]

They were required to register yearly

They still are.

[Jim Noble]

Still it sounds kind of strange

It's not strange at all. It's black letter law. Passed by Congress, signed by the President. Never repealed.