Donald Trump is proposing a new plan to provide illegal immigrants with an ‘exit bonus’ and a ‘free flight’ out of the United States if they choose to ‘self-deport’.
The Trump administration has been actively pursuing strategies to reduce immigration in the U.S. using various methods. These include leveraging an old wartime law from the 18th century for mass deportations, imposing high tariffs on neighboring countries to gain their help in curbing migration, attempting to cancel humanitarian parole for approximately 500,000 individuals, and even deporting migrants accused of crimes to a mega-jail in El Salvador. The President seems determined to explore every possible option.
After encountering legal challenges from the Supreme Court regarding some of these controversial tactics, Trump signed an executive order on May 9 to implement a new self-deportation initiative.
The initiative, named ‘Project Homecoming’, will provide free government-funded flights and a monetary incentive to illegal immigrants who volunteer to leave the country.
The executive order gives ‘illegal aliens’ a choice: to leave willingly ‘with federal support and financial assistance’ or to face ‘strict enforcement and penalties’.
Migrants who opt for self-deportation can use a new app called CBP Home, which, according to the order, offers ‘government-funded flights at no cost’ to those without legal status in the U.S., even if they lack proper travel documents.
The app includes a ‘concierge service’ at U.S. airports to assist them in booking their travel and claiming their ‘exit bonus’.
They are not limited to returning to their home country; they can go ‘anywhere’ in the world, as Trump mentioned, ‘as long as it’s not here’.
Announcing the plan on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “Today, I signed an Executive Order to launch the first-ever self-deportation program. Illegal aliens who stay in America face punishments, including – sudden deportation, in a place and manner solely of our discretion. TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT RIGHT NOW!”
In a video message, Trump elaborated: “We are making it as easy as possible for illegal aliens to leave America.”
“Any illegal alien can simply show up at an airport and receive a free flight out of our country.”
The President further explained: “We have also launched a phone app called CBP Home, that’s CBP Home, where illegals can book a free flight to any foreign country. As long as it’s not here, you can go anywhere you want.”
Discussing the financial incentive, Trump said the ‘exit bonus’ is meant to ‘further incentivize their self-deportation’.
“This deportation bonus will save American taxpayers billions and billions of dollars,” he added.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated earlier this week that the ‘exit bonus’ would be around $1,000 per person, payable upon confirmation of their arrival in the chosen country via the app.
“Eventually, when the illegals are gone, it will save us trillions of dollars,” Trump noted.
For those who decline the offer, Trump issued a stern warning about facing severe consequences.
He cautioned: “However, if illegal aliens choose to remain in America, they’re remaining illegally and they will face severe consequences.
“Illegal aliens who stay in America face punishments, including significant jail time, enormous financial penalties, confiscation of all property, garnishment of all wages, imprisonment and incarceration and sudden deportation in place and manner solely of our discretion.”
“So, to all illegal aliens, book your free flight right now. We want you out of America, but if you’re really good, we’re gonna try and help you get back in,” Trump concluded.