What happens if a Federal Officer of Detention grants a voluntary departure and the alien violates it?

• A. The alien will face criminal charges
• B. The alien will be put in 240 proceedings
• C. The case will be dismissed
• D. The alien will be released immediately

Answer: (B)

When a Federal Officer of Detention grants a voluntary departure, the alien is given the opportunity to leave the United States on their own accord within a specified time frame. If the alien fails to comply with the terms of this voluntary departure, the consequences can be significant. Specifically, the alien may be placed into removal proceedings under section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

This is an important process because it formally initiates immigration court proceedings against the alien, which could lead to their removal from the U.S. The purpose of enforcing this aspect of immigration law is to ensure compliance with the departure order and to maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

In contrast, other options like facing criminal charges generally apply to more serious violations of immigration laws, and having the case dismissed or released immediately would not involve accountability for failing to adhere to the voluntary departure. Therefore, the placement in 240 proceedings serves as a direct consequence for the violation of the voluntary departure order.