Trump administration triples bonus to $3,000 for voluntary deportation of undocumented migrants
Trump administration increases incentive for self-deportation
The Trump administration has announced a new policy offering undocumented migrants up to $3,000 and paid travel if they agree to leave the United States voluntarily by year-end. This initiative is part of an effort to reduce enforcement costs and expedite deportations.
Details of the Offer
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will cover all travel expenses for migrants who use the CBP Home app to arrange their departure. Additionally, those who self-deport through this method will receive forgiveness for any civil fines or penalties incurred for failing to leave the country.
Increased Incentives
The $3,000 stipend is a significant increase from the initial offer of $1,000 announced in May. According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, since January 2025, approximately 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the country, with tens of thousands utilizing the CBP Home app.
Government Savings
The administration claims that this program is more cost-effective than traditional deportation methods, which can cost around $17,000 per person. However, critics argue that the policy may not provide a clear path for legal return to the United States for those who leave voluntarily.
- Since taking office, the Trump administration has deported over 261,000 people and arrested more than 285,000 foreigners accused of being in the country illegally or deportable.
- The program was originally created during the Biden administration for migrants to schedule asylum interviews but was rebranded by the current administration.
