The Department of Homeland Security of the United States (DHS) announced a campaign that will ensure strict enforcement of immigration laws and compel the self-deportation of illegal immigrants.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, stated that the Trump administration will use all available legal tools to compel unauthorized foreign nationals to leave the country voluntarily.
Sanctions for those who remain in the country without documentation
In an official statement released this Tuesday, the DHS warned that it will fully enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act, which imposes penalties on foreigners who:
- Do not voluntarily abandon the United States.
- Do not register with the federal government ni proporcionen sus huellas digitales.
- Do not inform the immigration authorities about changes of address.
Failure to comply with these regulations could result in substantial fines, prison sentences, or both. According to the DHS, this law has been ignored for decades, but the current administration is committed to its strict enforcement.
Official statement from the DHS
Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the DHS, explained the government's position in the statement:
"The president Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message for those who are in our country illegally: Leave now. If you leave now, you will have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream."
The DHS believes that mass self-deportation would help conserve resources of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ensuring an efficient use of the public budget.
Restrictions imposed on flights for undocumented immigrants
The multimillion-dollar campaign against undocumented immigrants was announced last week. Another measure taken by the U.S. administration is the elimination of the use of the CBP One application as identification for undocumented individuals to board domestic flights.
In this regard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that this new policy takes effect immediately. The CBP One app will only be used in cases of self-deportation or transfers between detention centers.
Secretary Noem described the measure as a reversal of a "horrendous policy from the Biden era" that allowed undocumented immigrants to travel on airplanes without official identification.
"Under President Trump's administration, the TSA and DHS will not tolerate this. Those who are in the country illegally will not be able to fly, unless it is to self-deport," stated Noem.
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