The Trump administration announced on Monday that it will fund the journey and provide $1,000 to undocumented immigrants who choose to return to their home countries voluntarily.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem stated, “If you’re in the U.S. illegally, self-reporting to leave to avoid arrest is the safest, most cost-effective method.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facilitating financial travel assistance and scholarships for this purpose via the CBP Home App, according to Noem’s statement.
After verifying a person’s return through the app, the DHS confirmed that the $1,000 scholarship would be issued.
The department also noted, “Self-abolization is a respectful way to exit the United States, allowing undocumented individuals to evade interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”
DHS projected that utilizing the CBP Homes program could decrease deportation costs by approximately 70%, even factoring in the aid and scholarships.
Currently, the average expense for arresting, detaining, and removing undocumented immigrants stands at $17,121.
According to the DHS, undocumented individuals from Honduras have already taken advantage of this program to return home.
During his campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
