Lawsuit Challenges New Biometric Registration for Immigrants

A lawsuit challenges a new biometric registration rule for immigrants, arguing it pressures them to self-deport.

April 2, 2025

Immigrant Rights Groups Challenge New Biometric Registration Rule

In a contentious development, immigrant rights organizations have filed a lawsuit objecting to a new biometric registration process set to be introduced by the Trump administration. The policy, which is scheduled to take effect on April 11, mandates that undocumented immigrants and others provide biometric data or face potential civil and criminal penalties.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is spearheading this initiative, but questions remain about its implementation. Carl Bergquist, general counsel for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), points out that it is unclear if individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or other temporary protections will be required to register.

Bergquist expresses concerns over the lack of clarity and details, stating, “It’s like who is this supposed to apply to, what are the penalties going to be, how is that going to be enforced? How is that consistent with government policy?” He further argues that the rule is riddled with procedural issues, citing the absence of a public comment period and lack of concrete details.

The rule is based on a World War II-era law obligating noncitizens to register with the federal government. CHIRLA and other organizations challenging the rule argue that it could impact millions and is being implemented without proper legal procedures.

This requirement would also mean immigrants must carry proof of registration, although guidance on how to register has yet to be provided. Bergquist suggests that the policy is a tactic by the Trump administration to pressure immigrants into self-deportation.

“What they’re doing is creating this veneer of criminality around not registering,” Bergquist said. “If people do register, maybe that’s a way for them to arrest somebody. If people don’t register, maybe that’s the way to create pressure on them to leave the country — So, I think it fits into the broader scheme in the way that it’s really part of an anti-immigrant, mass deportation plan.”

The program includes a handful of legal services providers in Arizona and elsewhere who represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court. Last Friday, the federal government released a memo halting most of that funding.

The Arizona House of Representatives is close to passing a bill that would require hospitals to ask patients their citizenship status.

It’s been two months since President Donald Trump closed the door on asylum seekers. But a sliver of hope remains for those who have few options other than to wait in Mexico.

Under the new rule, posted to the Federal Register Tuesday, nationals from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela who were given temporary protection and work permits under a Biden-era parole program will have that status revoked. More than 500,000 recipients have been given 30 days to leave the country themselves or face deportation.

A memo from President Donald Trump directs the Justice Department to pursue sanctions or other disciplinary actions against attorneys and firms with immigration cases that the government deems unethical.