U.S. Offers $1,000 to Irregular Immigrants for Voluntary Departure

The Trump administration has launched a new policy offering undocumented immigrants $1,000 and travel assistance if they voluntarily leave the United States, with payments made after departure is confirmed through the CBP Home app. This initiative aims to encourage self-deportation as a less costly and resource-intensive alternative to traditional deportations, which can cost the government up to $17,000 per person. Migrants who opt in via CBP Home are deprioritized for detention or removal by immigration enforcement, and may preserve their future eligibility for legal reentry. Officials report that the program has seen its first successful case and hope that more migrants will take advantage of the offer, freeing up enforcement resources. The administration cites a significant drop in illegal border crossings and emphasizes that self-deportation is the safest and most cost-effective approach. Critics note that, despite these efforts, deportation numbers remain below campaign promises, and additional restrictive measures have also been implemented to pressure undocumented immigrants to leave.