U.S. Offers USD 1,000 Incentive for Voluntary Migrant Departures 

United States: In a newly announced initiative, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will offer $1,000 and travel assistance to undocumented migrants who choose to leave the country voluntarily. The program, introduced Monday, is positioned as a more cost-effective and humane alternative to formal deportation, as reported by Reuters. 

According to DHS, deportation proceedings cost American taxpayers an average of $17,000 per person, including apprehension, detention, and transportation. Officials believe this incentive-based departure plan will significantly reduce those expenses. 

Trump Administration Trails Biden in Deportation Numbers 

The deportation statistics under former President Donald Trump demonstrate fewer deportations than the numbers his predecessor Joe Biden performed during his first few months in office. In his first months as president Donald Trump’s government performed 152,000 deportations that remained below the 195,000 removals the Biden administration handled between February and April 2019. 

The Trump administration will offer a $1,000 stipend and travel assistance to migrants who elect to voluntarily "self deport" from the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday. pic.twitter.com/cQ9wCeqjw6

— NTD Television (@TelevisionNTD) May 5, 2025

To promote self-deportation the Trump administration used threats of deportation along with financial sanctions and relocation of immigrants to detention centers located at Guantanamo Bay and El Salvador. 

“Self-Deportation Is the Smartest Path,” Says DHS 

“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” stated Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The program is designed to give migrants the opportunity to exit the U.S. without facing criminal charges or detention. 

As part of the program, DHS rebranded the existing CBP One app—originally used under the Biden administration for legal migration—as CBP Home, which now guides users through the voluntary departure process, as reported by Reuters. 

DHS to begin paying for flights and a $1000 stipend to illegals once they leave the US and self deport. pic.twitter.com/r0B2iJQsZN

— Roy Rogue (@rogue185263) May 5, 2025

Potential for Future Re-Entry Remains Open 

President Trump first mentioned financial support for voluntary departures in April, emphasizing the possibility of future legal re-entry. “If they’re good, if we want them back in, we’re going to work with them to get them back in as quickly as we can,” he said. 

The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that departures from the U.S. by migrants will keep their potential immigration eligibility intact but failed to offer designated return programs.