Trump administration offers $1,000 ‘stipend’ to illegal immigrants for self-deportation

The Trump administration has introduced a new initiative offering $1,000 to undocumented immigrants who choose to voluntarily leave the United States using a government app, in a move aimed at reducing deportation costs and easing enforcement pressure.

As per a statement by US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, individuals who use the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ‘Home App’ to initiate and complete their self-deportation process will receive the payment once their arrival in their country of origin is confirmed by the app. The stipend equates to over ₹81,000 in Indian currency.

“Self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” Noem said. 

The DHS further explained that the voluntary return system allows individuals to avoid being detained or removed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), provided they are actively working towards leaving the country.

The new policy reportedly aims to cut deportation costs significantly. According to DHS data, the average cost of arresting, detaining, and removing an undocumented migrant currently stands at $17,121. Officials claim the self-deportation programme could reduce that expense by up to 70 %, even after including the stipend.

The first successful use of the incentive has already been recorded, with one individual who entered the country during the Biden administration flying from Chicago to Honduras. More flights under this scheme are reportedly scheduled in the coming weeks.

Those declaring intent to self-deport through the app may also be deprioritised for detention if they show meaningful progress toward departure, the agency said.

Estimates suggest over 11 million undocumented immigrants reside in the US, with about 2,20,000 believed to be of Indian origin, according to a 2022 DHS estimate.

This development has drawn attention amid ongoing debates around immigration enforcement, voluntary return schemes, and the rights of undocumented individuals.