Resubmission of Fingerprints Effective April 27, 2026

Posted on by Susan Lane

ENHANCED SECURITY CHECKS EFFECTIVE APRIL 27, 2026 REQUIRING RESUBMISSION OF FINGERPRINTS

President Donald Trump’s administration has mandated what it calls “enhanced” security checks for immigration applicants, following an executive order Trump signed in February which directed that “DHS immigration authorities must access criminal history record information (CHRI) in the custody of federal criminal justice agencies to the maximum extent permitted by law.”

Effective April 27, 2026, USCIS officers are directed to resubmit fingerprints for pending cases if the FBI information for those cases was received prior to April 27, 2026. USCIS said that “any delay in decision issuance should be brief and resolved shortly.” The enhanced checks will affect pending applications for which immigrants submit fingerprints, such as applications for permanent residence and naturalization. In some cases, it may be necessary for the applicant to be scheduled for another biometrics appointment.

Alien Registration Requirement Goes Into Effect April 11, 2025

Posted on by Susan Lane

The following categories of persons who already fulfilled the alien registration requirement:

  • Lawful permanent residents;
  • Aliens paroled into the United States under INA 212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired;
  • Aliens admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired;
  • All aliens present in the United States who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival;
  • Aliens whom DHS has placed into removal proceedings;
  • Aliens issued an employment authorization document;
  • Aliens who have applied for lawful permanent residence using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, and provided fingerprints (unless waived), even if the applications were denied; and
  • Aliens issued Border Crossing Cards.

Those who have NOT registered include:

  • Aliens present in the United States without inspection and admission or inspection and parole who have not otherwise registered (that is, aliens who crossed the border illegally);
  • Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration (i.e., Form I-94); and
  • Aliens who submitted one or more benefit requests to USCIS not listed in 8 CFR 264.1(a), including applications for deferred action or Temporary Protected Status who were not issued evidence of registration listed in 8 CFR 264.1(b).

If you fall into the “Who is not registered?” section above, then you must comply with the alien registration requirement. This includes:

  •  All aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a visa to enter the United States and remain in the country for 30 days or longer. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days;
  • The parents or legal guardians of aliens younger than 14 years of age: Parents or legal guardians must apply for the registration of aliens younger than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the country for 30 days or longer, before the expiration of those 30 days; and
  • Any alien, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the United States within 30 days after their 14th birthday.

All foreign nationals 18 years of age and over in the United States must comply with the alien registration requirement. This includes those who registered using this new process and must carry the evidence of their registration in their possession at all times. Moreover, all foreign nationals in the United States required to register must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. Instructions can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange.

PLEASE NOTE: The alien registration requirement DOES NOT provide a legal immigration status or work authorization.

Travel Ban List Proposed by the Trump Administration

Posted on by Susan Lane

The Trump administration proposed a draft of a travel ban list with 43 countries but may change in a final order. The citizens of these countries may encounter travel restrictions when they come to the United States. There are three categories in the new travel ban list: All travel banned, restricted visas, and those who would be given 60 days to address concerns with their visas. 

All Travel Banned

  • Afghanistan
  • Bhutan
  • Cuba
  • Iran
  • Libya
  • North Korea
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen

Visas Sharply Restricted

  • Belarus
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Laos
  • Myanmar
  • Pakistan
  • Russia
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Turkmenistan

60 Days to Address Concerns

  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Chad
  • Republic of Congo
  • Dem. Republic of Congo
  • Dominica
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Gambia
  • Libera
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Vanuatu
  • Zimbabwe