The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a plan to provide financial support to illegal immigrants who remove themselves from the United States. Those choosing to self-deport will receive a stipend of $1,000 after they return to their country of origin.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers. Download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.”
According to DHS, the program is 70% cheaper than current deportation costs. The average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an illegal immigrant is more than $17,000.
The first use of the program has been successful, the department noted, explaining that a migrant has returned to Honduras. “An illegal alien that the Biden Administration allowed into our country recently utilized the program to receive a ticket for a flight from Chicago to Honduras,” DHS said. “Additional tickets have already been booked for this week and the following week.”
Should an illegal immigrant submit their intent to remove themselves from the country, they may be allowed the option to re-enter the United States legally in the future.
Migrants previously used the CBP One app, which has since been replaced by CPB Home. “Effective January 20, 2025, the functionalities of CBP One that previously allowed undocumented aliens to submit advance information and schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry is no longer available, and existing appointments have been cancelled,” a statement on the Customs and Border Protection website read at the time.
