ICE Immigration Checks: The Documents That Can Prove Your Status in the U.S.

• Documents that ICE may request
• Green Card proves residency
• I-766 authorizes employment

Immigration checks raise a key question among immigrants in the United States: what documents can be used to prove their situation to ICE agents?

Green Card, work permit, and I-94 are among the documents that can prove different immigration situations, but not all mean the same thing or grant the same rights.

Documentation takes on special relevance in the face of increased immigration enforcement actions since Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025.

An update published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in June 2026 also addresses the registration obligations that affect certain foreigners within the country.

Documents that ICE may request during an immigration check

The Green Card, officially form I-551, proves that its holder is a legal permanent resident and is one of the most important immigration documents.

Form I-766 corresponds to the Employment Authorization Document, known as a work permit, and demonstrates that a person is authorized to work during its validity.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: The U.S. will issue commemorative passports with an image of Trump starting in August

Forms I-94, I-94A, and I-94W serve as entry and exit records and may contain relevant information about a person’s admission to U.S. territory.

There are also credentials from trusted traveler programs administered by CBP, including Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST, which are part of the recognized documents.

The G-325R registration does not grant immigration status

Form G-325R deserves special attention because complying with the registration obligation does not mean that a person has obtained residency, a visa, or immigration protection.

The DHS indicates that, except for exceptions, certain foreigners over 14 years old who stay 30 days or more must register if they did not previously comply with this requirement.

Additionally, evidence of registration must be carried at all times by foreigners over 18 years old subject to this obligation, according to the provisions indicated by the government.

The DHS itself clarifies that registration «is not an immigration status,» nor does it grant authorization to work or create other immigration benefits by itself.

Who must register and what exceptions exist

The general requirement applies to foreigners 14 years or older who were not registered or fingerprinted when applying for a visa and stay at least 30 days.

Among the exceptions mentioned are U.S. citizens, certain foreign officials with A or G visas, some Native Americans born in Canada, and members of the Kickapoo Tribe of Texas.

Minors under 14 years old, certain holders of diplomatic visas, and certain NATO representatives may be subject to registration without the fingerprinting requirement.

Failure to comply with applicable obligations can have civil or criminal consequences, including fines and, under certain circumstances, possible additional sanctions.

How to complete form G-325R with USCIS

Those who are required to register can initiate the process through a personal MyUSCIS account, where they must complete and electronically submit form G-325R.

Subsequently, USCIS may send a notification to schedule an appointment at an Application Support Center, where fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature are collected.

Once the procedure is completed, the system provides evidence of registration with an identifier that allows demonstrating compliance with this federal obligation.

This proof must be distinguished from documents such as the Green Card: showing that someone complied with registration does not automatically demonstrate that they have legal immigration status.

What to do if ICE requests immigration documents

A person must first identify what document they possess and what it actually proves: permanent residency, work authorization, entry record, or another specific condition.

Those who have valid immigration documents should keep them protected and know the applicable legal obligations for their situation, especially when there is a requirement to carry them.

It is also important to check expiration dates and avoid presenting false, altered, or someone else’s documents during any interaction with federal authorities.

In case of doubts about status, immigration orders, or registration requirements, seeking qualified immigration legal advice can help determine what obligations correspond to each case, noted the medium of Clarín and La Nación.