Welcome Back! 👋🏼

Dear Readers,

Welcome back to NawLaw News, where we bring you updates and announcements from the Firm, as well as the latest news in the rapidly changing U.S. immigration world. With President Trump’s second term, there’s no been no shortage of activity, including frequent policy changes and ongoing legal battles. Let’s get you caught up!

IMPORTANT: Link to USCIS Registration Tool

Below is a link to a post on the USCIS website detailing registration requirements for certain non-citizens, as well as those in the US illegally.

On the page, if you scroll down, there is a tab explaining the steps to register, which include:

1) Creating a USCIS Account

2) Submitting form G-325R

3) USCIS review of submitted form G-325R

4) Attending an appointment for biometrics retrieval

5) Receiving your registration documentation

There are also several other tabs that explain how to tell if you’re already registered, who needs to register, etc.

Below is a list from the firm explaining who does and does not need to register.

Under the new federal law, the following foreign national designations are required to register on line with USCIS

• Those seeking B-2 visitor extensions

• Pending I-130 relative petition beneficiaries

• Those who entered the U.S. without inspection - known as EWI’s

• Visa entries and ESTA’s staying more than 30 days

• Applicants for 601/601A Waivers

• I-212 Applicants

• Those who file petitions as abused spouses

• Widows or widowers of U.S. citizens

• Special immigrant juveniles

• Religious workers

The following classifications are not currently required to register:

• Asylum applicants – who have filed Form I- 589

• Those seeking employment authorization

• Those whose cases are currently in Immigration Court

• Applicants seeking to adjust their status to green card

• Those granted D/S – Duration of Status

The REAL ID Deadline is Less Than a Week Away. Here’s What TSA Wants You to Know

The Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcing the REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025, after multiple delays. Passed in 2005, the REAL ID Act requires enhanced security standards for state-issued IDs to meet federal identification standards for purposes like boarding commercial flights. Travelers without a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative like a passport could face delays or be barred from passing TSA checkpoints. REAL IDs are typically marked with a star, although designs vary by state, and the cost and documentation required for obtaining one differ across states. TSA has been actively promoting REAL ID awareness and expects compliance to keep increasing even after the deadline. While May 7 is not the final chance to get a REAL ID, travelers are strongly encouraged to secure proper identification ahead of summer and holiday travel seasons.

How a Trump Administration Crackdown on Foreign Students Unraveled

After more than 100 lawsuits and 50 restraining orders, the Trump administration reversed a controversial policy that had abruptly terminated thousands of foreign students’ legal immigration status. Judges across 23 states criticized the administration’s move as likely illegal, poorly explained, and devastating to students’ lives, education, and careers. The administration admitted that the mass terminations were based on linking minor law enforcement encounters to students’ immigration records through an FBI database, creating a chaotic and fear-driven environment. Although the Justice Department tried to downplay the issue as mere “bookkeeping,” students faced loss of classes, jobs, and the threat of deportation. Judges from both political parties expressed frustration at the government’s inability to clarify students’ legal standing, labeling the situation “Kafkaesque” and legally unacceptable. Ultimately, the administration agreed to reinstate students’ records manually, but not before exposing deep flaws in its handling of immigration enforcement for foreign students

DOGE is Building a Massive Database for Immigration Enforcement, Sources Say

The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is building a centralized “master database” to speed up immigration enforcement and deportations by combining sensitive data from agencies like the IRS, Social Security, and HHS. Palantir, a data firm co-founded by a Musk ally, is developing the system, which will help ICE create faster deportation “targeting lists.” The project has sparked major legal and privacy concerns, with lawsuits and whistleblowers warning about violations of the Privacy Act and risks to U.S. citizens’ data. Several IRS officials have quit in protest over the controversial data-sharing agreements now in place. Federal judges are weighing whether to block parts of the database initiative amid political backlash from Democrats. Despite public claims the effort is about efficiency, internal sources confirm deportation enforcement is a central goal.

Some GOP States are Targeting Driver’s Licenses Issued to Immigrants Illegally in the US

As Republican-led states crack down on illegal immigration, several are passing laws invalidating driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants by other states. Florida, Wyoming, and Tennessee have already moved to ban such licenses, with other states like Alabama and Montana considering similar measures. These moves contrast with 19 states and Washington, D.C., which issue licenses regardless of immigration status. Florida’s law, for example, targets specially marked licenses from Connecticut and Delaware, although actual enforcement appears limited so far. Critics argue these laws are mean-spirited and create fear among immigrant communities, even in states where licenses are legally available. The laws reflect a broader trend of states inserting themselves into federal immigration enforcement.

How to Protect Yourself from Phone Searches at US Border

Due to intensified US border policies under the second Trump administration, travelers are increasingly facing phone searches, leading to advice on how to protect digital privacy. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has broad authority to search phones at borders, though US citizens can refuse, while visa holders risk detention or deportation if they do. Experts recommend disabling biometric locks, keeping devices updated, and considering whether to carry a minimal “travel phone” with only essential information. Travelers can also modify their primary phones by deleting sensitive apps and data, though this requires careful attention to avoid mistakes. Using a clean but lightly used travel device is safer, as phones that seem too new or empty might raise suspicion. Even without major preparation, basic steps like printing boarding passes and minimizing app data can still improve privacy during US border crossings.

Client Q&A

Q. “A quick question for you: Do you have any concerns about my wife flying to Italy this August and coming back in on her green card?” - a green card holder originally from Germany

A. So long as she has no social media posts that are pro-Hamas and anti-Trump in nature, I don’t believe she will experience a problem returning to the U.S. after a short trip abroad. However, she should be aware that CBP can view her phone and device for content they deem to be offensive and anti-American.

Q. “Can you tell me what is this news with the IRS? This news is all over that the news IRS head will share all information with DHS? Can you spend a couple minutes on this please? Can you tell me  how is this affecting me and my wife? My wife has a  TAX ID and i have a ssc that’s how we are paying tax every year. If we gonna get caught who we need to call? If my wife gets caught with my son what should she do? Who to call?” - a foreign national

A. At this time, USCIS is seeking cooperation with the IRS involving those foreign nationals and green card holders in the U.S. having committed serious criminal issues.

Q. “As of right now, it looks like the beneficiary has not been selected in the recent H-1B Lottery. I want to know if you think it is OK for her to enter on her B2 visa in the next month?” - a US citizen

A. I strongly recommend that any potential B-2 visitor have a return flight ticket evidencing the duration of their intended stay in the U.S. – to 30 days.

Exciting Events at NawLaw: Stay Informed and Engaged!

Rally for Rule of Law at Foley Square, Manhattan

Standing Together for Justice and Accountability!

Congratulations to our NawLaw Clients who’ve received their Green Cards and Work Permits! 🎉 

We’re so proud to be part of your journey and celebrate this huge milestone with you!

Here’s to new beginnings and endless opportunities!

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Here’s the Latest for NawLaw Social Media

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