According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Trump administration has announced a new initiative to provide $1,000 in financial aid and travel support to undocumented immigrants who choose to voluntarily leave the U.S.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security described the self-extension as “the best, safest, most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.” The program is convenient through the CBP ONE mobile application.
“If you’re illegal here, self-substitution is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the U.S. to avoid being arrested. DHS now provides financial travel assistance and provides voluntary return benefits through the CBP Home App,” said Kristi Noyem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Immigration enforcement remains the focus of President Donald Trump’s campaign and re-election. However, officials admitted that deportation was expensive. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that the cost of arresting, detaining and expelling people with legal status is about $17,000.
The agency noted that the cost of the new allowance program was greatly reduced and has been used. “One person entering the country under the Biden administration has recently taken advantage of the program to fly from Chicago to Honduras,” DHS reported. “Extra flights are planned in the coming weeks.”
Since Trump returned to office on January 20, his administration has deported about 152,000 people. That figure is lower than 195,000 deportations under the Biden administration from February to April last year.
