Trump Launches Federally Funded Self-Deportation Program

President Donald Trump signed an executive order launching a federally funded self-deportation program called "Project Homecoming," which offers illegal immigrants a $1,000 stipend and a free flight to any foreign country to incentivize voluntary departure from the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security will administer the program through the CBP Home app, which confirms migrants' departure and facilitates payment, and promises that those making progress toward self-deportation will be deprioritized for detention. Trump emphasized that illegal immigrants who remain in the country could face severe penalties including jail time, financial sanctions, property confiscation, wage garnishment, and sudden deportation at the government's discretion. The administration claims this initiative will save American taxpayers billions of dollars and reduce deportation costs by about 70 percent. However, the American Immigration Lawyers Association cautioned migrants against accepting the payment without first consulting an attorney, warning that the program could be deceptive. The program is part of the Trump administration's broader effort to reduce illegal immigration and shift responsibility away from the current administration.