Foreigners living in the United States for over 30 days are now obligated to register with the government, under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the former Trump administration. Refusal to obey this order could land them with fines and possible imprisonment.
Although this policy will not impact, in a direct sense, visa holders like those on H-1B visas or student permits, it makes enforcement of avoidance of unauthorized overstays stricter. For example, individuals who hold H-1B visas who become unemployed must leave the country within a limited period or risk facing legal actions. Both H-1B visa holders and students are asked to have their stay fit in with compliance obligations.
In one recent release, “Message to Illegal Aliens,” the DHS urged foreign nationals who are not appropriately authorized to entertain self-deportation. The message lists some benefits of this alternative, including, “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.”
The post stresses that self-deportation might maintain future prospects of legal immigration, with possible qualification for subsidized flights for those who cannot pay for their own deportation.
The penalties of not registering with the authorities are serious. DHS threatens individuals who are found to be residing illegally will be deported immediately. Fines may amount to $998 per day for those who stay on after a final removal order, and those who don’t self-deport could be fined between $1,000 to $5,000. Non-registration may also result in jail sentences and prohibition from re-entering the US via legitimate immigration routes.
