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June 18, 2025

New registration requirement for migrants and immigrants: Does it apply to people with temporary work visas?

LEER EN ESPAÑOL

The content of this blog is purely informational. For legal advice, please consult with an immigration lawyer.

Starting April 11, 2025, the government of the United States requires certain immigrants to register with the Department of Homeland Security. This might cause confusion, especially for those who are in the United States under a temporary work visa, such as H-2A (agricultural work) or H-2B (non-agricultural work).

If this applies to you, you can find more information below!

What is this registration requirement?

This new administration issued an Executive Order that requires some immigrants 14 years and older that are to remain in the United States for 30 days or more, to register with the government if they haven’t done it in the past. This requirement is part of an older law (from 1952) that is now being applied in a stricter manner through new regulations.

This also requires people to carry their registration documents with them. There might be penal sanctions for not carrying your registration documents.

Finally, it also requires that registered people update DHS within 10 days in case they changed address. There might be penal sanctions and migratory consequences for not updating an address. If you’d like to know how these sanctions might affect your immigration case, you must talk to an immigration attorney.

Does it apply to people with temporary work visas?

People who enter the United States with a temporary work visa (i. E. H-2A, H-2B, TN, J1) are considered to be already registered through form I-94, which is received upon entering the country. This means that people with a temporary work visa do not need to take any further action to register, but must carry their I-94 form with them and keep their address up to date with DHS.

If you didn’t receive a printed I-94 form upon entering the United States, you can search and print it here.

Considerations:

  • Keep a copy of your I-94 form with you. Find in here and print it if you don’t have a copy of it.

  • At any interaction with officers, you have the right to remain silent. You can ask “Am I free to leave? And if so, you can calmly walk away. If arrested, you have the right to talk to a lawyer.

  • Do not ignore letters or emails from the government. If you receive one and do not understand what it means, you can contact Centro de los Derechos del Migrante here.

  • Know your rights - you cannot be forced to sign any document or provide information without first talking to a lawyer.

WE RECOMMEND YOU READ: Know your rights during an ICE raid at work

What if someone is trying to use this new requirement to intimidate me?

If your boss, supervisor, recruiter or any other person tells you “you must comply with the registration requirement or you’ll be deported”, it is important to remember that as a worker:

  • You have the right to question labor practices without fearing retaliation.

Saying “I’ll report you to ICE if you speak up” is illegal and considered retaliation. You can make a report.

  • You have the right to receive full agreed payment.

Your employer cannot deduct money from your payment as punishment nor retain your pay without valid reason.

  • You have the right to a safe working environment.

If your job puts your safety, health and physical integrity at danger, you can contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-6742.

  • You have the right to receive a copy of your work contract

This contract must include clear information on work conditions such as salary, duration and benefits.

If you have questions about your rights at the workplace, contact Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc (CDM) at 1-667-217-5738 if you’re calling from the United States or at 55 9661 6771 if you’re calling from Mexico.

Useful resources

Direct consular line (if you’re Mexican): 1-520-623-7874

 

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