According to what the Department of Homeland Security announced, immigrants who choose “self-deportation” through the use of the “CBP Home” application will have full travel arrangements at the Department’s expense. They will also be eligible for exemption from any fines or civil penalties related to not leaving the country. It is worth noting that this new amount is three times the amount that the ministry announced last May, which was “$1,000”.
This announcement comes as part of a seasonal campaign aimed at speeding up deportation operations, coinciding with a post by the ministry on the “X” platform warning illegal residents that they are “going home”.
In a statement, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, stressed the need for “illegal aliens” to take advantage of this “gift” and leave the country voluntarily, warning that if they do not respond, “we will find them, arrest them, and they will never return.”
Noem indicates that since January 2025, “1.9 million” irregular migrants have self-deported, and “tens of thousands” of them have used the “CBP Home” application, noting that these figures have not been independently verified. The application was launched under the Biden administration with the aim of enabling immigrants to schedule appointments for asylum interviews, before the Trump administration redesigned it and changed its purpose.
Officials describe this program as a more effective alternative to costly arrests and deportations, stressing that even with the increased payments, the government will save money, as the average cost of arresting, detaining, and deporting a single immigrant is estimated at approximately “$17,000” per person. (Asharq)
