Alien Registration Requirement?

Hey there,


Aizada here. Its been a tough week in the US immigration landscape. 


While most headlines focused on Trump's controversial "alien registration" order, a quieter battle was won that directly impacts many of you navigating the immigration maze right now.

Earlier this week, USCIS quietly announced a 30-day grace period for older versions of immigration forms after being sued by immigration attorneys.


Here's what happened:

USCIS dropped new versions of critical forms (including I-485 for green cards and N-400 for citizenship) with zero notice and immediately made them mandatory.


No transition period.

No warning.

Just "surprise, your application is rejected!"

I've been through the immigration system.


This affects lives just because of an administrative hiccup.

So what changed?

Under the new administration, official forms now replace "noncitizen" with "alien" and restrict gender options to just "male" and "female."

These changes go beyond simple paperwork - they reflect a broader shift in policy, reinforcing exclusionary language and rolling back inclusivity.

What this means for you: If you submitted forms in the past few weeks, USCIS will now accept them even if you used the previous versions.


If you're preparing applications now, you have about 30 days from when each form was released (roughly until early April) to use old versions.


If you identify as nonbinary or transgender, to avoid rejection, select what’s closest to your legal documents.

The big immigration news is the revival of a WWII-era "alien registration" requirement. On January 20, President Trump signed Executive Order 14159, and now USCIS has released the details. 

Here's what's actually happening:


Who must register: All non-citizens 14 and older who weren't registered when applying for a visa and who stay in the US for 30 days or longer. Parents must register children under 14.


Timeline: Registration begins April 11, 2025.

Required information includes: Legal name, contact details, date of birth, country of citizenship, activities since entry, expected length of stay, and criminal history.


The catch: After registration, all non-citizens 18 and older must carry proof of registration at all times or face potential misdemeanor charges.


Special note for Canadians: Starting April 11, Canadians staying in the US for over 30 days will also need to register – a significant change from previous border practices.


Penalties for non-compliance: Up to $5,000 in fines, six months imprisonment, or deportation.


Many immigrants are already considered "registered" if they have green cards, visas, I-94s, work permits, or have applied for permanent residence. But millions of others – including those who entered on visa waivers, border crossing cards, or without inspection – will need to register.

1. Check if you're already "registered." Many visa holders and green card applicants are already compliant through previous applications.


2. Don't panic, but plan. We're still waiting for clarity on enforcement priorities and how USCIS will handle the influx of registrations.


3. Watch for fraud. With every new immigration requirement comes scammers offering "special help" with registration. The official process will be through myUSCIS only.


4. Consult before registering if you have status issues. If you're out of status or have overstayed, get legal advice before registering, as this could put you on ICE's radar.

Immigration shouldn't feel like walking through a minefield. That's why we started Alma – to bring clarity and confidence to a process designed to be confusing.

The Challenge:

Our client—a repeat founder and AI engineer—had already built and exited a brainwave data startup and was now launching a new AI company in Boston with MIT researchers.

But despite his strong track record, securing long-term U.S. stability was a major hurdle. The O-1A visa required airtight proof of “extraordinary ability” - a challenge even for top-tier founders.

The Solution:

Getting approved meant more than just listing achievements - it required the right strategy. That’s where Alma came in.

In just 14 days, we helped craft a compelling petition that made his case undeniable:

The Outcome:

With Alma’s expertise, his O-1A visa was approved - allowing him to scale his startup without immigration roadblocks.



Need help securing your O-1 visa?

Don’t believe us?
listen to the ones who did…

Have questions about your specific case? Hit reply or book a free consultation at www.tryalma.com/get-started.


Stay resilient,
Aizada