A collaboration between the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida State Emergency Management Department, and the Miami Sector of the Border Patrol is set to introduce a pilot program. This initiative will enable non-criminal undocumented immigrants to voluntarily return to their home countries with the aid of their earnings.
The program hasn’t been publicly announced yet, but it’s reportedly been operational for a few weeks and has seen initial success, as mentioned by a recent report.
Jeffrey J. Dinis, the chief patrol agent for Border Patrol in Miami, characterized this partnership as “the first of its kind.”
He noted that the program is designed for non-criminal undocumented individuals who have been detained by Border Patrol and Florida law enforcement officers trained in the 287(g) program.
Governor Ron DeSantis has also been involved in this initiative, working on it earlier this month.
“You’ll be escorted and monitored until you’re on the plane,” DeSantis explained. “You won’t be able to disappear, but this lets you return home without going through all the legal complications.”
This program seems to echo the approach taken by federal immigration officials who have frequently promoted mobile apps by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled one of these apps in May, offering financial incentives for voluntary return. For instance, a $1,000 stipend is provided upon confirmation of return to their home country.
DHS has claimed that this method of voluntary self-deportation can be significantly cheaper for U.S. taxpayers, reportedly reducing deportation costs by up to 70%.
Voluntary departure is framed as a dignified alternative for undocumented immigrants, helping them avoid run-ins with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite the associated costs of stipends, the use of CBP’s resources is anticipated to diminish overall deportation expenses, which currently average around $17,121 per individual.
DHS Secretary Christa Noem commented, “If you wait and let us take you to a facility, you won’t be able to return to America. There won’t be a chance to come back and become an American.”
According to reports from Breitbart News:
“Anyone who sees these flyers or news segments should know they can go home voluntarily. If they use the CBP Home App, they can return and still have a chance to come back legally. Once they are deported, though, the opportunity to return is lost.”
“That’s the consequence of breaking the law in the United States,” she added.
In contrast to federal initiatives, Florida’s program specifically covers transportation back to home countries.
DeSantis mentioned that immigrants are briefed on this voluntary departure process, stating, “So even if they were brought here against their will, they still have a chance to return voluntarily.”
