8 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2022 Edition
Title 8 - ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
CHAPTER 12 - IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY
SUBCHAPTER II - IMMIGRATION
Part VII - Registration of Aliens
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov

### Part VII—Registration of Aliens

### §1301. Alien seeking entry; contents

No visa shall be issued to any alien seeking to enter the United States until such alien has been registered in accordance with section 1201(b) of this title.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 7, §261, 66 Stat. 223; Pub. L. 99–653, §8, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3657; Pub. L. 100–525, §8(g), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2617.)

#### Editorial Notes

#### Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–525 made technical correction to Pub. L. 99–653. See 1986 Amendment note below.

1986—Pub. L. 99–653, as amended by Pub. L. 100–525, amended section generally, striking out "and fingerprinted" after "has been registered" and substituting "section 1201(b) of this title" for "section 1201(b) of this title, unless such alien has been exempted from being fingerprinted as provided in that section".

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–525 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1986, Pub. L. 99–653, see section 309(b)(15) of Pub. L. 102–232, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 1988 Amendments note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–653 applicable to applications for immigrant visas made, and visas issued, on or after Nov. 14, 1986, see section 23(b) of Pub. L. 99–653, set out as a note under section 1201 of this title.

### §1302. Registration of aliens

(a) It shall be the duty of every alien now or hereafter in the United States, who (1) is fourteen years of age or older, (2) has not been registered and fingerprinted under section 1201(b) of this title or section 30 or 31 of the Alien Registration Act, 1940, and (3) remains in the United States for thirty days or longer, to apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of such thirty days.

(b) It shall be the duty of every parent or legal guardian of any alien now or hereafter in the United States, who (1) is less than fourteen years of age, (2) has not been registered under section 1201(b) of this title or section 30 or 31 of the Alien Registration Act, 1940, and (3) remains in the United States for thirty days or longer, to apply for the registration of such alien before the expiration of such thirty days. Whenever any alien attains his fourteenth birthday in the United States he shall, within thirty days thereafter, apply in person for registration and to be fingerprinted.

(c) The Attorney General may, in his discretion and on the basis of reciprocity pursuant to such regulations as he may prescribe, waive the requirement of fingerprinting specified in subsections (a) and (b) in the case of any nonimmigrant.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 7, §262, 66 Stat. 224; Pub. L. 99–653, §9, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3657; Pub. L. 100–525, §8(h), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2617; Pub. L. 103–416, title II, §219(n), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4317.)

#### Editorial Notes

#### References in Text

The Alien Registration Act, 1940, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is act June 28, 1940, ch. 439, 54 Stat. 670. Sections 30 and 31 of that act were classified to sections 451 and 452 of this title and were repealed by section 403(a)(39) of act June 27, 1952.

#### Amendments

1994—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–416 substituted "subsections (a) and (b)" for "subsection (a) and (b)".

1988—Pub. L. 100–525 amended Pub. L. 99–653. See 1986 Amendment note below.

1986—Pub. L. 99–653, §9, as amended by Pub. L. 100–525, added subsec. (c). As originally enacted, Pub. L. 99–653, §9, amended subsec. (a) of this section by striking out "section 1201(b) of this title or" after "registered and fingerprinted under". Pub. L. 100–525 revised Pub. L. 99–653, §9, so as to add subsec. (c) and eliminate the original amendment of subsec. (a), thereby restoring the words "section 1201(b) of this title or". See Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note below.

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–416 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101–649, see section 219(dd) of Pub. L. 103–416, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–525 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1986, Pub. L. 99–653, see section 309(b)(15) of Pub. L. 102–232, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 1988 Amendments note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–653 applicable to applications for immigrant visas made, and visas issued, on or after Nov. 14, 1986, see section 23(b) of Pub. L. 99–653, set out as a note under section 1201 of this title.

#### Effective Date

Section effective 180 days after June 27, 1952, see section 407 of act June 27, 1952, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.

### §1303. Registration of special groups

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1301 and 1302 of this title, the Attorney General is authorized to prescribe special regulations and forms for the registration and fingerprinting of (1) alien crewmen, (2) holders of border-crossing identification cards, (3) aliens confined in institutions within the United States, (4) aliens under order of removal, (5) aliens who are or have been on criminal probation or criminal parole within the United States, and (6) aliens of any other class not lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.

(b) The provisions of section 1302 of this title and of this section shall not be applicable to any alien who is in the United States as a nonimmigrant under section 1101(a)(15)(A) or (a)(15)(G) of this title until the alien ceases to be entitled to such a nonimmigrant status.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 7, §263, 66 Stat. 224; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, §§308(e)(1)(J), 323, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–619, 3009–629.)

#### Editorial Notes

#### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 104–208, §308(e)(1)(J), substituted "removal" for "deportation".

Subsec. (a)(5), (6). Pub. L. 104–208, §323, added cl. (5) and redesignated former cl. (5) as (6).

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by section 308(e)(1)(J) of Pub. L. 104–208 effective, with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of the first month beginning more than 180 days after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.

#### References to Order of Removal Deemed To Include Order of Exclusion and Deportation

For purposes of carrying out this chapter, any reference in law to an order of removal is deemed to include a reference to an order of exclusion and deportation or an order of deportation, see section 309(d)(2) of Pub. L. 104–208, set out in an Effective Date of 1996 Amendments note under section 1101 of this title.

### §1304. Forms for registration and fingerprinting

#### (a) Preparation; contents

The Attorney General and the Secretary of State jointly are authorized and directed to prepare forms for the registration of aliens under section 1301 of this title, and the Attorney General is authorized and directed to prepare forms for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens under section 1302 of this title. Such forms shall contain inquiries with respect to (1) the date and place of entry of the alien into the United States; (2) activities in which he has been and intends to be engaged; (3) the length of time he expects to remain in the United States; (4) the police and criminal record, if any, of such alien; and (5) such additional matters as may be prescribed.

#### (b) Confidential nature

All registration and fingerprint records made under the provisions of this subchapter shall be confidential, and shall be made available only (1) pursuant to section 1357(f)(2) of this title, and (2) to such persons or agencies as may be designated by the Attorney General.

#### (c) Information under oath

Every person required to apply for the registration of himself or another under this subchapter shall submit under oath the information required for such registration. Any person authorized under regulations issued by the Attorney General to register aliens under this subchapter shall be authorized to administer oaths for such purpose.

#### (d) Certificate of alien registration or alien receipt card

Every alien in the United States who has been registered and fingerprinted under the provisions of the Alien Registration Act, 1940, or under the provisions of this chapter shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations issued by the Attorney General.

#### (e) Personal possession of registration or receipt card; penalties

Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

#### (f) Alien's social security account number

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Attorney General is authorized to require any alien to provide the alien's social security account number for purposes of inclusion in any record of the alien maintained by the Attorney General or the Service.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 7, §264, 66 Stat. 224; Pub. L. 99–653, §10, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3657; Pub. L. 100–525, §8(i), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2617; Pub. L. 101–649, title V, §503(b)(2), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5049; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title IV, §415, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–669.)

#### Editorial Notes

#### References in Text

The Alien Registration Act, 1940, referred to in subsec. (d), is act June 28, 1940, ch. 439, 54 Stat. 670. Title III of that act, which related to register and fingerprinting of aliens, was classified to sections 451 to 460 of this title, was repealed by section 403(a)(39) of act June 27, 1952.

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original, "this Act", meaning act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66 Stat. 163, known as the Immigration and Nationality Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables.

#### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–208 added subsec. (f).

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–649 inserted "(1) pursuant to section 1357(f)(2) of this title, and (2)" after "only".

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–525 amended Pub. L. 99–653. See 1986 Amendment note below.

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–653, as amended by Pub. L. 100–525, amended first sentence generally, striking out "and fingerprinting" before "of aliens under section 1301".

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–525 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1986, Pub. L. 99–653, see section 309(b)(15) of Pub. L. 102–232, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 1988 Amendments note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–653 applicable to applications for immigrant visas made, and visas issued, on or after Nov. 14, 1986, see section 23(b) of Pub. L. 99–653, set out as a note under section 1201 of this title.

#### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.

### §1305. Notices of change of address

#### (a) Notification of change

Each alien required to be registered under this subchapter who is within the United States shall notify the Attorney General in writing of each change of address and new address within ten days from the date of such change and furnish with such notice such additional information as the Attorney General may require by regulation.

#### (b) Current address of natives of any one or more foreign states

The Attorney General may in his discretion, upon ten days notice, require the natives of any one or more foreign states, or any class or group thereof, who are within the United States and who are required to be registered under this subchapter, to notify the Attorney General of their current addresses and furnish such additional information as the Attorney General may require.

#### (c) Notice to parent or legal guardian

In the case of an alien for whom a parent or legal guardian is required to apply for registration, the notice required by this section shall be given to such parent or legal guardian.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 7, §265, 66 Stat. 225; Pub. L. 97–116, §11, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1617; Pub. L. 100–525, §9(o), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2620.)

#### Editorial Notes

#### Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–525 inserted "Notices of change of address" as section catchline.

1981—Pub. L. 97–116 amended section generally and in adding subsection designations struck out the annual registration requirement for permanent resident aliens and the registration requirement for those aliens in a lawful temporary residence who were to notify the Attorney General in writing of an address every three months while residing in the United States and inserted provision authorizing the Attorney General, in his discretion and upon ten days notice, to require the natives of any one or more foreign states who are in the United States and required to be registered under this subchapter, to notify the Attorney General of their current addresses and furnish such additional information as required.

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–116 effective Dec. 29, 1981, see section 21(a) of Pub. L. 97–116, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.

### §1306. Penalties

#### (a) Willful failure to register

Any alien required to apply for registration and to be fingerprinted in the United States who willfully fails or refuses to make such application or to be fingerprinted, and any parent or legal guardian required to apply for the registration of any alien who willfully fails or refuses to file application for the registration of such alien shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not to exceed $1,000 or be imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

#### (b) Failure to notify change of address

Any alien or any parent or legal guardian in the United States of any alien who fails to give written notice to the Attorney General, as required by section 1305 of this title, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not to exceed $200 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. Irrespective of whether an alien is convicted and punished as herein provided, any alien who fails to give written notice to the Attorney General, as required by section 1305 of this title, shall be taken into custody and removed in the manner provided by part IV of this subchapter, unless such alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful.

#### (c) Fraudulent statements

Any alien or any parent or legal guardian of any alien, who files an application for registration containing statements known by him to be false, or who procures or attempts to procure registration of himself or another person through fraud, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not to exceed $1,000, or be imprisoned not more than six months, or both; and any alien so convicted shall, upon the warrant of the Attorney General, be taken into custody and be removed in the manner provided in part IV of this subchapter.

#### (d) Counterfeiting

Any person who with unlawful intent photographs, prints, or in any other manner makes, or executes, any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the likeness of any certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card or any colorable imitation thereof, except when and as authorized under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Attorney General, shall upon conviction be fined not to exceed $5,000 or be imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 7, §266, 66 Stat. 225; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, §308(e)(2)(G), (g)(9)(A), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–620, 3009–624.)

#### Editorial Notes

#### Amendments

1996—Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted "removed" for "deported" and "part IV" for "Part V".

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective, with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of the first month beginning more than 180 days after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

#### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.