On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at initiating a self-deportation program, encouraging more immigrants living in the U.S. to leave the country voluntarily.
Trump stated, “We make it as easy as possible for illegal foreigners to leave the US. They can show up at the airport and receive a free flight from our country.” This announcement was shared on social media that same day.
The president mentioned that undocumented immigrants could book free flights to any country except for the United States, but warned that failure to comply might lead to “serious consequences.”
He elaborated on the potential ramifications, indicating that those who remain in the country illegally could face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, property seizures, and immediate deportation.
Trump reiterated that the administration plans to introduce an “exit bonus” to promote self-deportation, suggesting that it could save American taxpayers “billions and billions of dollars.”
This order follows a recent announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which proposed a $1,000 incentive for immigrants who opted for self-deportation through the CBP Home App.
DHS stated that migrants would receive the payout upon arriving in another country, provided they are verified through the app.
“Individuals who voluntarily express their intent to self-deport using CBP Homes will avoid detention and removal before their departure, provided they show meaningful progress toward leaving,” the agency explained.
The American Immigration Bar Association (AILA) has cautioned against accepting these payments without seeking legal counsel first. They emphasized that the process could be misleading and might lead to complications regarding future re-entry into the U.S.
Trump has made expelling undocumented immigrants a core focus of his second presidential term, pledging during his campaign to remove millions currently residing in the United States. His administration reportedly deported 135,000 individuals within the first 100 days of his current term.
Interestingly, Trump noted that for those immigrants who are “really good,” the federal government would support their return if they choose to come back.
“For all illegal aliens, book a free flight. We want you to leave America, but if you’re really good, we’ll help you come back,” he concluded.
