During a cabinet meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump announced a forthcoming deadline after which undocumented immigrants residing within the United States will be barred from attempting legal re-entry into the country.
The president indicated a willingness to facilitate the return of these individuals to their home countries, suggesting cooperation with those who voluntarily leave. As he stated, “We’re going to work with people, so that if they go out in a nice way, and go back to their country, we’re going to work with them right from the beginning on trying to get them back in legally.”
This announcement follows a significant increase in voluntary departures facilitated by the administration’s “CBP Home” initiative. According to data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), over 5,000 immigrants have self-deported within the past month.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described this as a “very big self-deport operation” and further elaborated on the consequences for those who do not comply. She highlighted existing regulations stating that failure to register status under the Alien Registration Act, coupled with executive orders, can lead to criminal charges and daily fines of up to $1,000.
“Otherwise,” Noem explained, “they’ll never be allowed once a certain period of time goes by, which is probably going to be 60 days.”
Beyond encouraging voluntary departures, the administration is also exploring options for supporting these individuals upon their return. Noem mentioned ongoing efforts to secure funding and resources for programs providing assistance—including food and housing—in countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia.
She emphasized the importance of ensuring a successful transition home, stating, “[We are] making sure that these folks have the opportunity to go home, so that they can get the chance to come back to America is important.”
- Key Initiatives:
- CBP Home app for voluntary self-deportation.
- Financial penalties for non-compliance with registration requirements.
- Support programs in Mexico, El Salvador and Colombia.
The administration aims to create a strong incentive for undocumented immigrants to leave voluntarily, ultimately limiting future opportunities for legal re-entry after a 60-day period.
