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In a sweeping move to clamp down on illegal immigration, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that all individuals residing in the country illegally must register, provide fingerprints, and supply their current address as part of a new nationwide initiative.

The directive, outlined in a DHS statement, is backed by the Immigration and Nationality Act, which mandates the registration of undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older. The announcement marks a significant shift in US immigration policy as the administration intensifies efforts to fulfill campaign promises of mass deportations and strict border control measures.

“An alien’s failure to register is a crime that could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both,” the DHS statement warned. “For decades, this law has been ignored — not anymore.”

The registration process will be facilitated through a new form and system, which will be introduced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service in the coming weeks. The government has not specified how it intends to ensure compliance or how many undocumented immigrants are expected to voluntarily come forward.

This development follows one of President Donald Trump’s inaugural executive orders, which mandated the immediate publicizing of legal obligations for undocumented immigrants to register. The administration’s primary deportation targets are those with criminal records, though failure to comply with the new registration process will also be grounds for prosecution.

Immigration advocates have voiced concerns that the policy could drive undocumented communities further into the shadows, making them less likely to seek help or report crimes. However, the administration insists the measure is necessary to strengthen national security and restore law and order.

The forthcoming weeks are expected to bring further details on the registration process, as both supporters and critics closely monitor the rollout of this controversial policy.