‘Leave Now Or Pay $998 Daily, Face Jail’: US Homeland Security’s Warning To Illegal Immigrants

<p>In a renewed push for stricter immigration enforcement, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s administration has issued a stern message to foreign nationals overstaying in the country. According to an official post shared by the department on X (formerly Twitter), foreign nationals who remain in the US beyond 30 days are now required to register with the federal government. Failure to comply may result in fines and imprisonment.</p>
<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; the department posted, tagging President Trump&rsquo;s official handle and Krishi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.</p>
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<p dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>Foreign nationals present in the U.S. longer than 30 days must register with the federal government. Failure to comply is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment. <a href=”https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@POTUS</a> Trump and <a href=”https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Sec_Noem</a> have a clear message to Illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW and self-deport. <a href=”https://t.co/FrsAQtUA7H”>pic.twitter.com/FrsAQtUA7H</a></p>
&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1911086918298947913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<p>While the directive does not directly impact individuals holding valid visas such as H-1B or student permits, it signals a significant tightening of oversight on undocumented immigration. The post further cautioned that visa holders, especially those on H-1B who may have lost their jobs, must ensure compliance by leaving the country within the stipulated period to avoid punitive action.</p>
<p>In a directive titled &ldquo;Message to Illegal Aliens,&rdquo; the DHS has urged foreign nationals residing in the US without proper authorisation to self-deport and highlighted the supposed benefits of doing so.</p>
<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; it said.</p>
<h3><strong>US Stresses Self-Deportation Allows Immigrants To Return Legally</strong></h3>
<p>The department also noted that self-deportation could preserve an individual&rsquo;s chances of legal immigration in the future. For those unable to afford travel, the post mentioned the possibility of accessing subsidised flights.</p>
<p>Outlining the consequences of non-compliance, the post stated that individuals identified as staying illegally would face immediate deportation. &ldquo;A fine of $998 per day if you 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,&rdquo; it warned.</p>
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<p dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>The deadline for registration under the Alien Registration Act is today. Failure to register is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment.<br /><br />We will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce. We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland. <a href=”https://t.co/5TVPHo3fJy”>pic.twitter.com/5TVPHo3fJy</a></p>
&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1910746857262985220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<p>Additionally, the department noted that failure to register would result in a permanent ban from re-entering the United States through the legal immigration system.</p>
<p>The move underscores the Trump administration&rsquo;s ongoing emphasis on immigration control, as reflected in the tone and language of the department&rsquo;s communications.</p>