The move, which could expose unregistered migrants to criminal prosecution, represents a drastic escalation of the administration’s efforts to push millions of immigrants to leave on their own.

But lawyers and immigrant advocates warned that the administration’s plan was on shaky legal ground and that some immigrants may be afraid to comply.

The Trump administration is creating a registry for all people who are in the U.S. illegally, and those who don’t self-report could face fines or prosecution.

Undocumented immigrants age 14 or older must register and provide fingerprints or face a fine or even imprisonment under new Trump administration plans announced Tuesday. The big picture: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the escalation in the administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants that she vowed the administration would enforce.

The proposed initiative mandates that undocumented immigrants, including children aged 14 and older, provide fingerprints and home addresses to the federal government. Those who meet the criteria but fail to register could face fines of up to $5,000 and a maximum prison sentence of six months.

Immigrants in the U.S. illegally who fail to register with the federal government could face significant fines, potential imprisonment or both, according to a directive issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday.

Trump Administration wants all immigrants who do not have legal status in the country to provide personal information and fingerprints, including children. Immigrant rights group raise alarms.

The move applies to immigrants over the age of 13 who are in the U.S. unlawfully and who have not submitted fingerprints or registered with the federal government.