Trump’s administration has unveiled a new program offering $1,000 to undocumented immigrants who ‘voluntarily’ leave the United States. The initiative, announced on May 5, 2025, aims to reduce deportation costs and ‘streamline the removal
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that this approach could save taxpayers up to $1 million per family in long-term welfare and support expenses. The program allows participants to avoid arrest by ‘self-deporting.’
DHS covers the cost of commercial flights and confirms departure before issuing payments. The agency estimates it spends an average of $17,121 to apprehend, detain, and deport an individual, making voluntary self-deportation significantly cheaper.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the initiative as the “best, safest and most cost-effective” deportation method. The program’s first participant reportedly opted to return to Honduras after entering under the Biden administration. Under Trump’s renewed presidency, ICE has deported nearly 66,000 individuals in his first 100 days.
However, immigration advocates warn that the offer could be misleading. Critics claim it may worsen individuals’ legal status and label it a deceptive “trap,” undermining genuine immigration pathways. The initiative reflects the administration’s broader hardline stance on immigration and its emphasis on “self-deportation” as a policy strategy.
In a video message, President Trump urged undocumented immigrants to “self-deport”, warning that failure to do so would result in forced deportation and permanent bans from re-entry.
The administration’s broader immigration enforcement strategy includes plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, a move that experts warn could have significant economic repercussions. A study published in the Journal of Labor Economics found that for every one million deported migrant workers, there would be a loss of 88,000 jobs for U.S. natives. Additionally, undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022, contributing substantially to federal and state revenues.
