President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration is preparing to implement a strict self-deportation deadline for illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States.
During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said immigrants who leave voluntarily within a forthcoming 60-day window may have the opportunity to return legally in the future. Those who fail to comply, however, will be barred from applying for legal reentry, as Fox News reported.
“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,” Trump said after hearing remarks from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“So it gives you real incentive, otherwise they’ll never come back — they’ll never be allowed once a certain period of time goes by, which is probably going to be 60 days.”
The plan is part of a broader voluntary removal initiative underway by the Trump administration, which is encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app.
According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data, more than 5,000 individuals have chosen to self-deport in the past month alone.
“It’s a very big self-deport operation that we’re starting,” Secretary Noem stated during the meeting.
She explained that under current law, including the Alien Registration Act and the President’s Executive Orders, undocumented immigrants who fail to register their status with the federal government could face criminal charges, fines up to $1,000 per day, and permanent bans on reentry.
Noem also noted that DHS is working to ensure that deported individuals receive some form of support upon returning to their countries of origin.
She pointed to ongoing programs in Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia that offer food and housing assistance to deportees.
“[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.”
The administration has not yet finalized the exact date the 60-day clock will begin, but the measure is expected to roll out in the coming weeks as part of a broader effort to restore law and order at the southern border and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
Fox News Digital contacted the White House for comment, but no response was received before publication.
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