DHS Launches Self-Deportation Program Offering Flights and Cash Incentive
The Department of Homeland Security has introduced a new initiative that will cover commercial flight costs and provide a $1,000 stipend to illegal immigrants who voluntarily choose to leave the United States. DHS officials say the program will significantly reduce taxpayer costs compared to traditional deportation methods.
According to DHS estimates, deporting an individual through standard enforcement processes — including arrest, detention, and transport — averages over $17,000 per case. In contrast, the self-removal program is expected to cost no more than $4,500 per person, even when including the incentive payment.
The stipend will only be issued after an individual has successfully left the country. Applicants must use the CBP Home app to apply for assistance, and DHS projects a surge in self-deportation numbers, which currently remain in the low hundreds.
A statement released by DHS emphasized that migrants actively participating in the program via the CBP Home app will be “deprioritized for detention and removal” while they arrange their departure, according to Fox News.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. It is better to get out now,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in a statement to Fox News.
“DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App,” she added. “This is the safest option for our law enforcement and aliens, and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers. Download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.”
DHS also noted that choosing to self-deport could increase a migrant’s chances of being allowed to return legally in the future.
Still, critics argue that giving taxpayer-funded stipends to individuals who entered the country illegally sets the wrong precedent. DHS acknowledged the controversy, but insists the program is fiscally responsible in the long term and directly supports the administration’s goal of reducing the number of illegal aliens inside the U.S.
Under the Biden administration, illegal border crossings soared, leading to severe strain on immigration enforcement resources.
Since President Donald Trump returned to office, his administration has placed a renewed focus on removing individuals with criminal histories and immigration violations. That includes transferring suspected members of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua — both designated as international terrorist organizations by Trump — to secure prisons in El Salvador.
Data from The New York Post indicates that illegal entries at the southern border remained near historic lows in April, despite a modest uptick from the previous month.
Border Patrol reported fewer than 10,000 unlawful crossings in April — a 93% drop from over 128,000 the same time last year.
The figures point to the effectiveness of President Trump’s immigration crackdown, a central promise of his campaign. The administration’s measures — including terminating Biden’s “catch and release” policy and declaring a border emergency — have sharply reduced border activity.
April’s figures follow just 8,300 crossings in February and 7,100 in March, marking the lowest monthly totals in over two decades. Some days under the Biden administration saw more crossings than an entire month under Trump.
In April, the highest daily total remained under 450 crossings, a stark contrast to prior records.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in over 25 years of Border Patrol service,” said Manny Bayon, head of the National Border Patrol Council’s San Diego chapter, in an interview with The Post.
As illegal crossings fall, ICE has intensified enforcement efforts, executing a sweeping deportation campaign under Trump’s leadership.
In just the first 100 days of the administration, ICE reported detaining over 66,000 illegal immigrants and deporting more than 65,000.
“We’re just 100 days into this administration, and thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is using every tool at its disposal to enforce our country’s immigration laws and protect our communities,” said acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.
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