Homeland Security warns undocumented immigrants to self-deport within 30 days or face fines, jail time, and permanent immigration bans under Trump-era enforcement drive.
April 13, 2025: Washington, D.C.:
In a dramatic escalation of immigration enforcement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under President Donald Trump has issued a 30-day warning to undocumented foreign nationals living in the country illegally. The agency has called on them to self-deport immediately or face harsh legal consequences — including fines up to $5,000 per day, imprisonment, and a permanent ban from re-entering the U.S. legally.
In an official post titled “Message to Illegal Aliens”, shared on X (formerly Twitter), the department stated:
“Foreign nationals present in the US longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. Failure to comply is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment.”
The post, which tagged President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem, urged undocumented immigrants to “LEAVE NOW” and opt for self-deportation.
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What is Self-Deportation and Why is It Being Promoted?
The DHS message framed self-deportation as a “safe, voluntary option”, encouraging those staying illegally to:
- Choose their own departure flight
- Retain U.S. earnings (if not convicted of any crime)
- Avoid imprisonment
- Remain eligible for legal immigration in the future
- Apply for subsidized airfare, if unable to afford a ticket
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Hefty Fines and Jail Time for Non-Compliance
Those who ignore the directive risk:
- A $998 per day fine after receiving a final removal order
- An additional $1,000–$5,000 penalty for falsely pledging to self-deport
- Jail time, if apprehended
- Immediate deportation upon identification
- Lifetime ban from legal U.S. immigration
Who Is Affected?
While visa holders such as H-1B workers or international students are not the immediate targets of this warning, non-compliance with visa timelines—such as overstaying after a job loss or program completion—could lead to legal action under the same directive.
Legal residents are being urged to stay compliant with registration requirements and ensure their visa status is up to date.
A Clear Policy Signal Ahead of Elections
The sharp message from DHS marks a policy hardening on immigration ahead of the 2025 U.S. Presidential elections. While past self-deportation programs were voluntary and rarely enforced, the current directive hints at aggressive implementation and may reshape immigration discourse in the coming weeks.
Tags:
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