Illegal aliens willing to leave the United States voluntarily can now cash in on a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative backed by President Donald Trump. The self-deportation program offers $1,000 and a one-way flight home to those who verify their departure using the CBP One mobile app.
Announced Monday, the DHS program mirrors similar efforts in Europe, where countries like Germany and Denmark have successfully used financial incentives to reduce illegal immigration. Trump described the program as a practical solution, offering a “beautiful flight” for those who choose to exit the U.S. on their own terms.
“What we thought we’d do is a self-deport where we’re going to pay each one a certain amount of money and we’re going to get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from … it’s called self-deportation,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
The former president credited DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan for advancing the plan while criticizing federal courts for blocking key parts of his immigration enforcement. In particular, Trump voiced frustration with rulings that prevent him from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport illegal alien gang members.
“It’s a very difficult thing with the courts because the courts have all of the sudden, out of nowhere, they’ve said, ‘Maybe you have to have trials.’ We’re going to have five million trials? Doesn’t work … you wouldn’t have a country left,” Trump said, warning of the consequences of judicial interference.
He called on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold his authority, citing historical precedent. “You look at Eisenhower, you look at many of them, they didn’t go through this,” he noted.
Federal courts have recently issued multiple rulings aimed at halting Trump’s immigration policies. A judge in Texas blocked the use of the Alien Enemies Act for gang deportations, while a California judge ruled against ending taxpayer-funded legal representation for underage migrants.
