The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday that it has initiated a program to provide $1,000 stipends and travel aid to undocumented immigrants who agree to return voluntarily to their home countries.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem outlined the initiative, stating, “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.” This statement echoes terminology used during the Trump administration concerning unauthorized residency in the United States.
The agency’s guidelines state that users will only receive the $1,000 stipend once their arrival in their home country is confirmed through the app.
Additionally, DHS emphasized that immigrants who enroll in the departure program will be deprioritized for detention and removal as long as they demonstrate significant progress toward their departure.
Officials indicated that this approach might facilitate “keeping the door open for legal immigration into the U.S. at a later date,” according to the agency’s announcement.
So far, the program has already seen its first participant, who traveled from Chicago back to Honduras.
