In a controversial new move, the Trump administration has announced plans to pay undocumented immigrants $1,000 to voluntarily leave the United States, a policy shift aimed at accelerating its sweeping immigration enforcement agenda while reducing the financial burden of forced deportations.
In a statement released Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) outlined the initiative, which includes not only the cash incentive but also government-funded travel assistance for eligible individuals. The program is being facilitated through the CBP One mobile application, rebranded as CBP Home for this purpose, which allows immigrants to notify U.S. immigration authorities of their intention to self-deport.
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According to DHS, those who register through the app and agree to leave voluntarily will be “deprioritized” for detention and removal, meaning they will be placed at the back of the line for enforcement actions.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in the statement. “DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App.”
The policy marks a significant pivot in the Trump administration’s deportation strategy, which has long focused on mass removals carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While President Trump continues to push for a dramatic increase in funding for ICE to support large-scale detentions and deportations, this new approach appears to be a parallel effort to reduce the costs and logistical challenges associated with forcibly removing millions of undocumented individuals.
Critics have already voiced concerns over the ethical and political implications of the offer, suggesting it could coerce vulnerable populations into leaving under the guise of financial relief. Immigration advocates also question how the program will be implemented and whether adequate safeguards will be in place to prevent exploitation or misinformation.
Still, the Trump administration maintains that the initiative is both fiscally prudent and humane, arguing that voluntary return programs reduce strain on federal resources while offering migrants a safer alternative to detention or deportation raids.
As immigration remains a cornerstone of Trump’s re-election campaign, this latest policy adds a new dimension to a deeply polarized national debate. Whether it will succeed in achieving its intended goals—or face legal and political pushback—remains to be seen.
