‘Turning the U.S. Into a ‘Show Me Your Papers’ Country”

A coalition of civil rights organizations has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over a rule requiring millions of non-citizens to register with the federal government and carry proof of registration at all times.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, argues that the Trump administration implemented the rule without public input and that it could lead to widespread civil rights violations.

The plaintiffs include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the American Immigration Council (AIC), the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), RFK Human Rights, and CASA. They argue that the policy effectively turns the U.S. into a “show me your papers” country, creating a system that could encourage racial profiling and harassment, as The Washington Examiner reports.

“With a stroke of the pen, the Trump administration is trying to turn the U.S. into a ‘show me your papers’ state where millions of immigrants, naturalized citizens, and natural-born citizens could be harassed by law enforcement because of their skin color, the neighborhood they live in, or the language they speak,” said Jeremy Robbins, executive director of the American Immigration Council through a statement.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced earlier this month that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would establish the registration website for non-citizens, marking the first step in the administration’s effort to encourage self-deportation.

The rule, published without a standard public comment period, requires immigrants over the age of 14 who were not previously registered upon entry to do so now. Registered individuals would receive a registration card, which they must carry at all times to avoid potential fines or imprisonment.

The lawsuit claims that the rule is not merely procedural, as the administration contends, but imposes significant burdens on millions of people, as Michelle Lapointe, legal director at AIC, points out:

“This rule is an invitation for widespread abuse. We’re talking about a new reality in the United States, in which anyone perceived to be an immigrant would have to carry their identity documents any time they leave the house and be prepared to show them to law enforcement on demand, at risk of being arrested. The United States is not a ‘carry your papers’ country, and this rule jeopardizes the freedoms and rights of millions of people who live here”

Opponents of the rule point out that certain groups, such as recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), may not be considered officially registered unless they hold work permits. Critics also warn that aggressive enforcement could lead to racial profiling and wrongful detentions.

“This registration process is meant to punish, exclude, and tear families apart and offers nothing in the form of recognition of immigrant contributions such as a pathway to citizenship,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).