U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, along with Senator Ed Markey and seven other senators, has expressed strong opposition to the Trump administration's plan to reinstate an immigration registration requirement. The order mandates that immigrants register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration at all times.
In a letter addressed to Kika Scott, a senior official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the lawmakers stated, “The Administration has explicitly linked this revived registration requirement to enforcement efforts, empowering federal prosecutors to target immigrants who fail to comply." They highlighted the risks for immigrants without prior contact with authorities, who may face removal proceedings if they register or criminal prosecution if they do not.
The letter drew parallels between this policy and historical precedents like the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which was implemented during World War II in a climate of fear and xenophobia. The lawmakers noted that reviving such policies would undermine civil liberties and disproportionately impact immigrant communities.
The senators have requested responses by April 8, 2025, on various issues related to implementing this policy. These include details on how USCIS plans to enforce it without leading registered individuals into removal proceedings or racial profiling practices.
Signatories of the letter also include Senators Dick Durbin, Alex Padilla, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, and Bernie Sanders. The full text of the letter was made available for public review.
The lawmakers criticized the decision as part of "the Administration’s unrelenting campaign to demonize and criminalize immigrants" while calling for rigorous oversight to prevent unnecessary punitive measures against immigrant communities.