A migrant man, Hugo Moreno-Mendez, has been charged in a West Texas federal court with two misdemeanors: willful failure to register his undocumented status with the federal government and refusal to provide DNA. The charges follow an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in January 2025, invoking a seldom-used provision from a 1952 immigration law. The order directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to publicize the legal obligation for undocumented migrants to register.
Moreno-Mendez, who allegedly entered the U.S. illegally in 2004, was arrested in March of 2025, while reporting to a probation office for an unrelated offense. DHS had set an April 11, 2025, deadline for undocumented individuals to register, which includes fingerprinting and providing an address. The legal basis for these charges appears tied to the new enforcement effort, although it is unclear whether Moreno-Mendez’s case directly stems from the executive order.
A similar case in Arizona against Eduardo Prado Flores was recently dismissed without explanation. Legal experts, including Moreno-Mendez’s attorney, expressed confusion over the registration charge, noting its rarity in federal prosecutions. If you have questions about registration, please contact the attorneys at Gonzalez Olivieri LLC right away!
Reference:
Torres, Aaron. “Texas man charged with failing to register as an undocumented migrant” Dallas Morning News. April 29, 2025.
