The Great American Send-Off: Migrants Offered Cash to Leave Voluntarily

The Trump administration on Thursday issued a new program providing a $1,000 cash payment and reimbursed travel costs to illegal aliens if they self-deport the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) outlined that migrants who self-deport can apply for the financial incentive through the CBP Home app, an online program which was previously used under the Biden administration.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, "If you're here illegally, self-deportation is the best, cheapest, and safest way to exit the United States to avoid arrest. DHS is now offering illegal aliens a travel allowance and monetary aid to return home through the CBP Home App."

The DHS noted that the practice is also much cheaper than regular deportations, which cost the government on average $17,000 per individual. Officials stated that the new stipend program could save these costs up to 70 percent. The migrants who indicate intentions to exit via the app will also be deprioritized for detention and removal, and DHS said that voluntary departure could save the possibility of future legal entry, but no particular path was described.

The move is coming as President Donald Trump doubles down on efforts to cut the population of illegal immigrants, a central campaign plank of his presidency. Deportations have fallen behind the last administration's since January, so the White House has turned to other, cheaper means. The CBP Home app, revamped in March, is now at the forefront on this voluntary departure effort.

At least one person already has returned to Honduras and collected the stipend, according to DHS, and further departures are planned in the next few weeks.

Source: Reuters