H-1B, F-1, Green Card Visa Holders Required to Carry ID 24/7

US President Donald Trump is continuing to get tough with the immigrants in his territory.

According to latest orders, non-citizens, whether on an H-1B work visa, F-1 student visa, Green Card holders, or otherwise — will need to carry proof of your legal status at all times. The new rule, which is a part of Trump’s executive action ‘Protecting the American People Against Invasion’, is effective from April 11, 2025.

This could impact millions of immigrants aged over 18 years. Regardless of visa status, they need to carry proof of registration at all times.

The immigrants to face the effect of the new law include over 5.4 million Indians living in the US, also comprising nearly 2,20,000 undocumented individuals. Legal immigrants — including H-1B visa holders and international students — do not need to fill the form again, as they are already considered registered. Yet they need to carry documentation proving their citizenship status.

In a strongly worded order, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), emphasized: “All non-citizens 18 and older must carry this documentation at all times. This administration has directed DHS to prioritize enforcement — there will no sanctuary for noncompliance.”

The new rule, follows a district court ruling that cleared the Trump administration’s path to enforce the long-dormant Alien Registration Act of 1940, a World War-II era law.

The Act required immigrants to register but was rarely enforced consistently.

Failure to carry the documentation could result in a fine or up to six months in jail. Registration does not guarantee protection from deportation, as individuals can still be removed from the country if their immigration documents are missing, expired or invalid.