Washington, April 12, 2025 – A US federal judge has greenlit a Trump administration rule requiring all non-citizens, including H-1B visa holders and international students, to register with the government and carry documentation at all times, effective Friday, April 11. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a stark warning: “No exceptions—carry proof or face fines, jail, or worse,” shaking up millions, including 2.2 lakh undocumented Indians (Times of India).
Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, upheld the mandate on April 10, citing a World War II-era statute (Times of India). The rule, rolled out March 12 by DHS and USCIS, demands registration within 30 days for those in the US over a month—kids must re-register at 14, and address changes need reporting in 10 days. Non-compliance risks $5,000 fines, 30-day imprisonment, or deportation. “It’s about security—know who’s here,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said, per The Indian Express.
The impact’s wide—H-1Bs, F-1 students, even green card hopefuls, now face “show me your papers” checks. Critics like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights slammed it as chaotic, arguing it skips public input and violates the Administrative Procedure Act (NDTV). McFadden dismissed their lawsuit, saying they lacked standing. Posts on X buzz with panic—“H-1Bs targeted!”—while others back it: “Law’s law.” India’s diaspora, pegged at 7 lakh undocumented by Pew Research, feels the heat (Reuters).
For India, it’s a jolt—70% of H-1Bs are Indian, and 15,000 students study stateside (MEA, 2024). “Carry docs, stay calm,” attorney Neha Mahajan told The Hindu. With Trump’s tariff chaos already spiking costs, this piles on. Will it force compliance or spark a legal fightback?
