Continuing the crackdown on illegal immigrants, the Donald Trump government said that foreign nationals who are living in the US for more than 30 days without registration would attract fines and imprisonment.
In a post titled ‘message to illegal aliens’, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) underscored the need for self-deportation. In a tweet on Saturday, the DHS said: “Foreign nationals present in the US for longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. Failure to comply is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment.”
“@POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem have a clear message to Illegal aliens: Leave now and self-deport,” it said, tagging President Donald Trump’s office and Kristi Noem, the Secretary of DHS. Immigrants staying beyond the 30-day deadline would attract a fine of USD 998 per day (approx. Rs 85,924), if they receive a final order to self-deport.
The DHS warned that if foreign nationals did not register or self-deport, they would be immediately deported “with no opportunity to get your affairs in order beforehand”. Foreign nationals who fail to self-deport after informing the authorities that they will do so but fail to comply would be fined of USD 1,000-5,000 (approx. Rs 86,096 to Rs 4.30 lakh).
On failing to self-deport, they may be subjected to imprisonment and also barred from reentering the US through legal immigration system. At the same time, the DHS also listed out the benefits of self-deportation, like on leaving on their own they can choose their departure flights and also keep their money earned in the US, if they did not have any criminal background.
Self deportees may also be eligible for a subsidized flight if they cant afford on their own. Since assuming office in January, the Trump administration has deported three groups of Indian nationals, totaling to 332 individuals, back to the country.