WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration has announced the creation of a registry for individuals residing in the United States unlawfully. Failure to self-report could lead to fines or legal action, immigration officials revealed on Tuesday.

Individuals in the U.S. without legal authorization are required to register, provide fingerprints, and disclose their address, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This initiative, citing the Immigration and Nationality Act, applies to anyone aged 14 and above.

This move comes as the administration aims to fulfill promises made during the campaign to execute widespread deportations of undocumented individuals and fortify the border against future asylum-seekers.

Not complying with the registration process could result in fines, imprisonment, or both, states the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service plans to establish a registration form and procedure in the near future.

President Donald Trump, in one of his executive orders on immigration issued on inauguration day, initially outlined plans for the registry and directed Homeland Security to provide information regarding the legal responsibility of previously unregistered aliens to comply.

The actual number of undocumented individuals willing to voluntarily disclose their information to the government remains uncertain. Nevertheless, failure to register would be deemed a criminal offense, with the administration prioritizing the deportation of individuals who have committed crimes in the U.S.

Prior to the Tuesday night announcement, the National Immigration Law Center highlighted that the Alien Registration Act of 1940 was the only instance where the U.S. government enforced a comprehensive campaign mandating all noncitizens to register. This organization cautioned that the registry’s purpose was to aid in identifying potential targets for deportation, raising concerns about possible misuse by the Trump administration.