The Trump administration on Monday conducted a first-of-its-kind voluntary deportation flight, transporting dozens of migrants who sought to self-deport rather than face forced removal.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assisted with transporting 68 participants back to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia under Project Homecoming, according to a press release from the administration. The illegal migrants were offered generous incentives for participating: a free flight, a $1,000 stipend and a chance to, someday in future, return to the U.S. legally.
Departing from Houston, Texas, the voluntary deportation flight dropped 38 participants off in Honduras who were “warmly welcomed” by their home government, according to DHS. The chartered flight dispatched an additional 26 participants to their home country of Colombia. DHS stated that both groups received social service benefits from their home countries in addition to the incentives provided by the Trump administration.
“Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a prepared statement.
“If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home,” Noem continued. “If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return.”
The Project Homecoming charter flight is the latest strategy by DHS to remove illegal migrants from the U.S., a top priority of the White House.
Earlier in May, President Donald Trump issued an executive order establishing Project Homecoming — an initiative to provide government-funded flights and a “exit bonus” to participating illegal migrants. DHS also announced it would begin offering a $1,000 stipend and travel assistance to illegal migrants who choose to leave willingly.
“As President, it is my legal obligation to exercise all tools at my disposal to end this invasion, remove the illegal-alien invaders from the United States, and protect the American people,” Trump said in a prepared statement about the initiative. “This proclamation establishes Project Homecoming, which will present illegal aliens with a choice: either leave the United States voluntarily, with the support and financial assistance of the Federal Government, or remain and face the consequences.”
Upon returning to power in January, the Trump administration immediately nixed a Biden-era app that allowed migrants to apply en masse for asylum. In its place, DHS launched the CBP Home app, which includes a feature for illegal migrants to announce their voluntary departure from the U.S.
While the administration has made incredible progress in reducing illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border, interior enforcement can be incredibly burdensome for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents working across the country. The average cost to arrest, detain and deport an individual illegal migrant is $17,121, according to DHS. The White House projects that use of the CBP Home app will cut deportation costs by roughly 70%, even when including the cost of the stipends.
For the illegal migrants that choose to defy removal orders and remain in the U.S., the Trump administration has worked to make it easier to locate and arrest them by removing “sensitive locations,” areas such as schools, hospitals and churches previously off limits for ICE agents — giving illegal migrants fewer places to hide. The administration has also applied mounting pressure against sanctuary jurisdictions that have laws shielding criminal illegal migrants from ICE apprehension, even taking these jurisdictions to court.
“If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way,” Noem said Monday.
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