The Department of Homeland Security of the United States is offering financial assistance to illegal immigrants who wish to voluntarily return to their countries of origin through the CBP Home application. Flight tickets have been reserved for some migrants, and travel costs have been paid for those who have already chosen to return, as in the case of a Honduran migrant from Chicago.
The Trump administration has made strict enforcement of immigration laws and deportation a core part of its campaign. They are pressuring Congress for more resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in order to carry out mass expulsions and are promoting "self-deportation" among immigrants who are in the country illegally.
However, experts like Aaron Reichlen-Melnick from the American Immigration Council warn that migrants should be cautious when considering the voluntary return offer. Reichlen-Melnick points out that leaving the country without fighting their case in immigration court can be detrimental, especially if they are already in the expulsion process.
The DHS has announced that it will pay $1,000 to illegal immigrants who decide to voluntarily return to their countries of origin as part of the mass deportation agenda driven by President Trump. Those who use the CBP Home application to report their decision will be "deprioritized" for detention and expulsion, according to the DHS press release.
Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has asserted that self-deportation is the safest and most economical way for illegal immigrants to leave the United States and avoid being arrested. Although the DHS has highlighted that thousands of migrants have already used the application for self-deportation, Reichlen-Melnick questions the simplicity of this solution and raises concerns about the implementation and legal repercussions of these measures.
