US issues 30-day deadline to illegal immigrants: Self-deport or face jail

In a post issued by US department of homeland security, the administration has warned all foreign nationals staying on in the US longer than 30 days to register with the government. If they fail to do so, they will have to pay fines and face imprisonment.

"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. @POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem have a clear message to Illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW and self-deport," the department has posted on X.

Also read: New US immigration rules in place; apply to Green Card, H-1B visa holders too

President Trump's office and Krishi Noem, the secretary of the department of homeland security was tagged in the post.

Self-deportation is safe

This will not affect people on H-1B visas or student permits. But it is signalling that the US is going to come down heavily on foreign nationals who are staying on in the US without proper authorisation.

However, if a person on H-1B visa loses their job and fails to leave the country within the specified period, they may face action.

In a post titled 'Message to Illegal Aliens’, the homeland security department urges foreign nationals residing in the US without the clearance from authorities to self-deport. The message also highlights the benefits of self-deportation.

Also read: Foreign students in US asked to self-deport over ‘campus activism’: Report

"Self-deportation is safe. Leave on your own terms by picking your departure flight. Keep money earned in the US if you self-deport as a non-criminal illegal alien," it says.

Fines for overstaying

The department also points out the possibility for a person who self-deports to be able to legally immigrate to the US in future. Individuals who cannot afford to pay for their tickets may also be eligible for a subsidised flight.

The post further outlines the consequences of not informing the authorities on time. Foreigners staying illegally will face immediate deportation once they are identified by the homeland security department.

It adds that a person will be fined at the rate of $998 per day if they received a final order of removal and stayed.

"A fine of $1,000-$5,000 if you fail to self-deport after claiming that you will. If you fail to self-deport, you may be subject to jail time," it adds.

The post said foreign nationals who don't register themselves would be barred from returning to the US through the legal immigration system.