Trump administration offers $1,000 to migrants who self-deport

The Trump administration announced Monday it would give migrants a $1,000 payment if they “self-deport” using a government app.

The announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called the funds a way to “facilitate travel back to their home country” that will be paid once their return has been confirmed through the CBP Home app.

It’s an unusual strategy but one the Trump administration argues could save money, pegging the current cost of arrest, detention and removal of migrants at more than $17,000.

“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),” the DHS said in a press release.

“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,” the department added.

The app’s webpage says the government can “assist in booking tickets and/or with obtaining necessary travel documentation” and estimates that, once approved, migrants would typically depart the U.S. within three weeks.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) cautioned people against taking the assistance.

“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 group said.

“Even the immigration courts are now posting inaccurate information telling people to self-deport, including those who are in the middle of asylum proceedings and have not had their fair day in court. It is unethical for the government to tell people ‘Self-Deportation Is Safe’ but not explain the hardship and legal risks to them, especially for people who do not have an attorney and will not know their rights under the law.”

The CBP Home app is a redesign of the Biden administration’s CBP One app, which allowed migrants to make an appointment at a port of entry for those seeking to make an initial claim of asylum.

“The CBP Home mobile app allows aliens to plan your return, including having an opportunity to depart in a timely manner – allowing aliens to wrap up work, school, and personal matters and organize their return in an orderly and lawful way,” the site says.

It also nods to the climate of anxiety for migrants as President Trump has promised the largest mass deportation operation in history, saying the program offers “flexibility, not fear.”

In the first 100 days of the administration, the Trump team boasted of deporting more than 135,000 people — a group that also includes Venezuelan and Salvadoran men sent to a Salvadoran prison with no opportunity to contest claims there were gang members.

Updated on May 6 at 10:56 a.m. EDT