The United States Department of Homeland Security, under the administration of President Donald Trump, has announced that all foreign nationals residing in the country for more than 30 days must register with federal authorities. Failure to comply will be treated as a criminal offence, punishable by fines and imprisonment.
In an official post on X, the department stated: &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;&nbsp;
The post directly referenced the President&rsquo;s office and Secretary of Homeland Security Krishi Noem.
While the directive does not apply to individuals legally residing in the US on specific visas such as H-1B or student permits, it signals a heightened focus on immigration enforcement. Authorities clarified that the measure aims to prevent unauthorized stays, particularly in situations where individuals lose their visa status but remain in the country.
Visa holders, including those on student and H-1B permits, are being advised to ensure full compliance with immigration rules. The department indicated that, for example, a person on an H-1B visa who loses employment and does not leave the US within the designated timeframe could be subject to enforcement action.
The announcement, titled &lsquo;Message to Illegal Aliens&rsquo;, calls on undocumented foreign nationals to voluntarily leave the country and outlines potential advantages of doing so.
&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; the statement reads.
The post further suggests that self-deportation may preserve eligibility for legal re-entry into the United States in the future. It adds that individuals lacking financial means to depart could qualify for a subsidised flight.
Details on penalties for non-compliance were also included. The department warned that those staying in the US illegally, once identified, will 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&ndash;$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 stated.
Foreign nationals who do not register within the specified timeframe will also be disqualified from returning to the US through legal immigration channels, the department confirmed.
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Foreign nationals in the US over 30 days must register or face fines, jail time, and a ban on future re-entry

Foreigners in US Must Register Within 30 Days

Foreign nationals in the US over 30 days must register or face fines, jail time, and a ban on future re-entry

April 13, 2025 | 19:00 IST