240G. Voluntary repatriation (a) Establishment The Secretary of Homeland Security (referred to in this section as the Secretary ) shall establish a voluntary repatriation program in accordance with the terms and conditions of this section. (b) Voluntary repatriation in lieu of proceedings Under the voluntary repatriation program established under subsection (a), the Secretary may permit an alien to elect, at any time during proceedings under section 235B or before the alien's protection merits determination under section 240D(d), voluntary repatriation in lieu of continued proceedings under section 235B or 240D. (c) Period of validity An alien who elects voluntary repatriation shall depart the United States within a period determined by the Secretary, which may not exceed 120 days. (d) Procedures Consistent with subsection (b), the Secretary may permit an alien to elect voluntary repatriation if the asylum officer— (1) enters an order granting voluntary repatriation instead of an order of removal