President Trump Launches Bold Self-Deportation Plan With Financial Incentives
President Donald Trump has once again defied the expectations of the political class, unveiling a groundbreaking self-deportation initiative that offers illegal aliens an opportunity to leave the country voluntarily—with benefits attached.
In a video posted to his Truth Social account, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the first-ever federal self-deportation program. The plan provides illegal aliens with free airfare out of the United States, along with additional financial incentives for those who comply.
“Today, I signed an Executive Order to launch the first-ever self-deportation program. Illegal aliens who stay in America face punishments, including—sudden deportation, in a place and manner solely of our discretion. TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT RIGHT NOW!” the president announced in the video caption.
“We are making it as easy as possible for illegal aliens to leave America. Any illegal alien can simply show up at an airport and receive a free flight out of our country,” he stated in the video.
The executive order goes further than just offering travel. President Trump explained that the U.S. will also provide what he called an “exit bonus” to incentivize voluntary departures and reduce the burden on American taxpayers.
“We are adding a very important exit bonus for illegals to further incentivize their self deportation,” the president said, calling it a policy that will save “billions and billions of dollars.”
Just days earlier, the Department of Homeland Security announced a similar policy, offering illegal migrants $1,000 in cash if they choose to self-deport using the new CBP Home App.
“Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App,” the agency stated in a press release. “Any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App to self-deport will also receive a stipend of $1,000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app.”
The DHS statement explained that this method of removal not only upholds the rule of law, but significantly reduces the high costs associated with ICE arrests and deportation procedures.
“Self-deportation is a dignified way to leave the U.S. and will allow illegal aliens to avoid being encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Even with the cost of the stipend, it is projected that the use of CBP Home will decrease the costs of a deportation by around 70 percent. Currently the average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an illegal alien is $17,121.”
According to the press release, the program has already yielded results:
“The first use of travel assistance has already proven successful. 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. Additional tickets have already been booked for this week and the following week.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the effectiveness and savings the new policy delivers:
“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,” she said. “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.”
The DHS also made clear that individuals who participate in the self-deportation program will not be targeted for removal as long as they are actively preparing to leave:
“Illegal aliens submitting their intent to voluntarily self-deport in CBP Home will also be deprioritized for detention and removal ahead of their departure as long as they demonstrate they are making meaningful strides in completing that departure. Participation in CBP Home Self-Deportation may help preserve the option for an illegal alien to re-enter the United States legally in the future.”
Still, not everyone is on board. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has urged migrants to avoid the program and instead seek legal counsel.
“AILA cautions individuals when reviewing the announcement to understand it is deceptive and gives people the impression there are no consequences, such as being barred from returning in the future. No one should accept this without first obtaining good legal advice from an immigration attorney or other qualified representative,” the organization warned.
While left-wing activists continue to object, President Trump’s administration is offering a voluntary, cost-saving, and orderly solution to illegal immigration—one that puts American taxpayers and border security first.