Those in the country illegally must now register with the federal government by Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor Neil McFadden ruled one day prior, in a new legal victory for the Trump administration.

Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via email late Thursday night for comment.

Why It Matters

Since his January 20 inauguration, President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping change, mainly through executive orders, and has prioritized immigration as a key pillar.

Trump last month utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that grants the commander in chief authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was blocked in federal court and has sparked a contentious legal back-and-forth in the federal courts.

What To Know

In a separate ruling, McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled in favor of the DHS.

In the order, McFadden says: “The Interim Final Rule allows for submitting a Form G-325R to register under the statute and regulations and the proof of filing a G-325R as evidence of registration under the statute and regulations. Plaintiffs argue that this broadens the requirement of registration to aliens who do not have immigration forms obtained through preexisting immigration programs. By its terms, the Interim Final Rule is set to go into effect on April 11, 2025.”

The Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights then filed the suit to block the registration’s date of enforcement, via preliminary injunction, but McFadden ultimately denied its request.

After the order, the Associated Press (AP) reported that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem sent out a statement in a press release: “President Trump and I have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now. If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream,” Noem said.

“The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws — we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce. We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans,” she continued.

The ruling comes amid heightened fears of mass deportations the Trump administration has pledged to push on the heels of the president’s decisive election victory.

What People Are Saying

National Immigration Law Center’s deputy legal director, Nicholas Espíritu, in a statement reported by AP on Thursday: “This disappointing ruling unfortunately means that, for now, Trump’s scheme to force people into an impossible choice moves forward. As we weigh next steps in our case, we urge affected community members to consult with an immigration attorney to better understand the consequences of registering or not.”

Trump’s border czar Thomas Homan, in a post to X, formerly Twitter, last month: “U.S. borders are closed to law breakers. Today, numerous dangerous gang members were sent to Guantanamo Bay once again, ensuring violent criminal illegal aliens remain far away from American neighborhoods. Know this, our neighborhoods are sealed shut to you. Recent flights to Guantanamo prove the Trump Administration means business. The men and women of CBP [Customs and Border Protection] and ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] will not stop. Don’t test our resolve! President Trump is keeping his promise and making our communities safer every day. ~ Thomas D. Homan US Border Czar”

What Happens Next

Those age 14 and older and in the country illegally have 24 hours to register with the government, the AP reports.