Since the release of Executive Order 14159 in January 2025, many immigrant families have reached out with one burning question:
“Does my child need to register under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — especially if they recently turned 14?”
If your child is on an H-4 visa and recently had a birthday, this article is for you. We’ll walk through the new DHS guidance, clarify who needs to register, and explain why many H-4 children do not need to file Form G-325R.
In January 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion”, which instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to strictly enforce a long-dormant law: INA §262.
That law requires certain non-citizens (aliens) to register with the U.S. government and, if applicable, provide fingerprints. To streamline compliance, USCIS created a new online form called G-325R: Biographic Information (Registration).
This is where things get confusing — but also reassuring.
According to the official DHS guidance released in 2025, children (or any non-citizen) who were:
👉 are already considered registered under 8 CFR §264.1(b).
➡️ They do not need to register again — even if they recently turned 14.
Section 262 of the INA says that individuals who turn 14 must register within 30 days, unless they were already registered.
So, here’s the key point:
🔍 If your child entered the U.S. on an H-4 visa and was issued an I-94 — which is standard protocol — they have already registered, and
There is no requirement to submit G-325R and no biometrics or fingerprinting appointment needed just because they had a birthday.
Let’s say your son has been on an H-4 visa since 2011. He:
🟢 In this case, he does not need to register again or submit Form G-325R.
He’s already considered registered due to the I-94 he received at entry.
You or your child may need to register only if:
In those cases, registration may be required.
We’ve helped dozens of families navigate this new registration requirement under INA §262. If you’re unsure whether your child’s entry and visa history satisfies the requirement, let us review your documents and give you peace of mind.
📞 Call the American Visa Law Group today for a consultation.