To make America safe, strong, and prosperous, President Donald Trump is ensuring that United States (US) immigration laws are followed.
If you try to enter the US illegally, lie to get a visa, work without legal permission, or stay after your visa or visa waiver period expires, you will face serious penalties.
These include jail time, deportation, and a permanent ban on obtaining a US visa in the future.
Some people believe they can sneak into the US and avoid being caught. This is not true. The Trump administration has strengthened border security and greatly increased the number of illegal aliens being arrested and deported.
In February 2025, illegal border crossings dropped 94 percent compared to February 2024, while arrests of illegal border crossers inside the US increased by 627 percent.
If you try to cross a US border or remain in the that country illegally, you will be caught, detained and sent back.
You may also be banned from ever returning or face fines and criminal charges.
The US visa process is the most secure in the world. Yet, some people unwisely still try to cheat the system by using fake documents, lying on applications, or staying after their visa expires.
These are examples of visa fraud and it is a serious crime. If you break the law in this way, you may never be allowed to enter the United States again.
For those considering making the dangerous journey to illegally cross into the US, understand that your safety – and even your life – are at risk.
Criminal groups, cartels and human traffickers target illegal migrants, subjecting them to violence, extortion, and assault. Many who attempt the journey never make it to their destination.
The US Government is also taking action against those who help others enter the country illegally. This includes smugglers, human traffickers, and even foreign government officials who allow illegal immigration to continue.
Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy for foreign officials – including immigration, customs, and port authority staff – who fail to help stop illegal immigration.
This builds on similar existing restrictions for those in the transportation and tourism industries. Those who threaten US security by facilitating illegal immigration are not welcome in our country.
The risks of trying to illegally immigrate to the US far outweigh any potential benefits.
You could lose your life, become a victim of criminals, or end up with a criminal record that damages your future and your family’s future.
Illegal entry not only breaks US laws, but it also puts your safety and well-being in jeopardy. The penalties are serious: jail time, separation from your family, and permanent bans from re-entering the US.
For everyone, the message is simple: Make the right choice, follow the law, and do not risk your safety, your family, or your future. Malawi and the US are long-time partners and friends.
We want to keep everyone’s family members safe and to preserve the opportunity for all Malawians to visit or study in the US legally.
When too many Malawians overstay or enter the US illegally, it affects everyone in Malawi who does follow the rules.
We want to keep our bilateral relationship flourishing and so in the spirit of pachibale, I ask all Malawian citizens to follow our immigration rules.
*Diaz is the US Chargé d’Affaires at the American Embassy in Lilongwe.
