Undocumented Immigrants Urged to Self-Depart: U.S. Border Chief Advocates for Voluntary Departure
A Hardline Stance on Immigration:
Tom Homan, Trump's border guru, delivered a stern warning to undocumented immigrants on Monday, stating they can’t dodge the authorities and will encounter legal troubles if they remain in the US unlawfully. This tough stance is part of the Trump administration's push for self-deportation. Homan advised these immigrants to sort out their affairs and collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or use the CBP One Home app to leave the country voluntarily.
"This message is for all you illegal aliens in the States: You can't dodge ICE," Homan told reporters Monday. "We are actively hunting you down."
Homan emphasized that every unlawful immigrant in the United States must register with the federal government and should always have documentation. Neglecting to register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or updating their address would be considered a criminal offense, starting from today. He also warned that immigrants who have received an order to leave the country but still stay in the US will be relentlessly pursued and could face daily financial penalties of up to $998.
Homan also asserted, "Illegal immigration isn't a victimless crime. Every sick individual we take off the streets, especially child molesters, makes this country safer. Every illegal alien we arrest, public safety threat, one by one makes this country safer."
Homan claimed there are around 1.4 million unlawful immigrants in the US, who have been told to leave but still reside here.
Homan's appearance in the White House press briefing room coincided with the Trump administration's 100th day in office, during which he highlighted the administration's progress on border security. He pointed to a drastic decline in illegal border crossings, which reached their lowest level in decades since Trump took office. According to Homan, the administration has deported 139,000 migrants since January 20, including those deported by ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and the Coast Guard.
However, the Trump administration's monthly deportation numbers have fallen behind the Biden administration's figures, as per data acquired by NBC News. Homan attributed this gap to differing counting methods, stating the Biden administration included border removals in their numbers. He reiterated that ICE arrests and removals under the Trump administration are significantly higher than during the Biden administration.
Despite the hurdles, Homan boasted the administration's progress, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt showcased Trump's efforts to tighten up the border. Trump is expected to sign two executive orders, one aiming at "unleashing America's law enforcement" and another targeting sanctuary cities. The latter will direct the attorney general and secretary of Homeland Security to publish a list of state and local jurisdictions that hinder federal immigration law enforcement.
The Trump administration confronts challenges in meeting its deportation targets, including limited funding and resources from Congress and a backlog in immigration courts. Nevertheless, the administration remains firm in its immigration agenda, as demonstrated by its recent threats and actions against unlawful immigrants.
It's worth noting that the Trump administration has implemented a series of measures meant to apply pressure on unlawful immigrants to self-deport. These measures include using a World War II-era law to force undocumented immigrants to register with the federal government, resuming the detention of unlawful immigrant families, expanding the use of expedited removals, and taking advantage of historical statutes to speed up deportations, often limiting due process. The result is an atmosphere of fear within immigrant communities, prompting many to consider self-deportation as a safer option than facing potential legal consequences in the US.
- Tom Homan, Trump's border guru, emphasized that every unlawful immigrant in the United States must register with the federal government, as ignoring this requirement would be considered a criminal offense.
- Homan advised undocumented immigrants to use the CBP One Home app to leave the country voluntarily, or face potential daily financial penalties of up to $998 for staying in the US after receiving an order to leave.
- In the White House press briefing room, Homan highlighted the administration's progress on border security, pointing to a drastic decline in illegal border crossings since Trump took office, and a high number of deportations, with over 139,000 migrants being deported since January 20.
- Homan's tough stance on immigration is part of the Trump administration's push for self-deportation, which includes using a World War II-era law to force undocumented immigrants to register with the federal government.
- The Trump administration's immigration policy has faced challenges in meeting deportation targets, due to limited funding and resources from Congress and a backlog in immigration courts, but remains firm in its immigration agenda, as demonstrated by recent threats and actions against unlawful immigrants.
