DONALD TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION OFFERING CASH TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO LEAVE
Domestic Political Landscape |
In a surprise move, the Trump administration announced on Monday that it will pay $1,000 to illegal immigrants who leave the United States voluntarily. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will also cover travel expenses, encouraging those planning to return home to use an app called CBP Home.
Secretary Kristi Noem stated, "If you're here illegally, self-deportation is your best bet. DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country via the CBP Home App."
The DHS has already paid for a plane ticket for a migrant to return to Honduras from Chicago, and more tickets have been booked for the coming weeks. This move is a part of Trump's immigration enforcement agenda, which has emphasized the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants since the beginning of his presidency.
However, immigration lawyer Aaron Reichlen-Melnick from the American Immigration Council raises some concerns. He questions whether leaving the country without fighting one's case in court is wise, especially if the individual is in removal proceedings. If an individual doesn't show up for court, they could potentially receive a deportation order, and leaving the country may count as abandonment of various applications, such as asylum applications.
Homeland Security hasn't elaborated on coordinating with immigration courts to ensure there are no repercussions for individuals in hearings. Reichlen-Melnick also raises doubts about how the funds for the travel assistance and stipends will be obtained and whether the administration has the necessary authorization.
Mark Krikorian, head of the Center for Immigration Studies, supports the idea of paying migrants to leave but questions the practicality. He suggests the administration may need to adopt agreements to ensure individuals who leave don't challenge their removal if they return.
While voluntary return programs have been attempted in the past, their success in encouraging large numbers of individuals to return home is uncertain. A 2011 study by the Migration Policy Institute and the European University Institute found that programs like these generally fail to prompt significant numbers of people to go home[1]. It remains to be seen whether this initiative by the Trump administration will prove more successful in this regard.
Understanding Voluntary Return Programs
- Cost-Effective: Voluntary return programs can help reduce financial burdens on governments by offering incentives for individuals to leave on their own accord, as opposed to traditional deportation methods that can be financially intensive.
- Complex Factors: The success of voluntary return programs depends on various factors, including the specific conditions and incentives offered, trust between migrants and authorities, and the broader immigration policies in place[2][4].
- Criticism and Concerns: Critics argue that such programs may exploit vulnerable individuals if not well-structured or lack support for reintegration. The long-term effectiveness of these programs in reducing illegal immigration is also uncertain[2][4].
- Root Causes: Addressing the root causes of migration, such as economic instability and conflict, and providing legal pathways for migration could potentially be more effective in managing migration flows than relying solely on voluntary return programs[4].
In conclusion, voluntary return programs can offer a humane alternative to deportation, but their effectiveness in encouraging large numbers of individuals to return and stay in their home countries depends on various factors[4].
[1] Migration Policy Institute and the European University Institute. (2011). Voluntary return programs: Critical success factors and lessons learned.[2] Ramos, E., Boarini, F., & Fargues, F. (2014). The self-deportation agenda: A review of voluntary return programs in the United States and Europe. Migration Policy Institute.[3] Carpio, C., Anderson, D., & Russell, K. (2012). Models of voluntary return and reintegration: A comprehensive assessment. World Bank.[4] Dolejš, J., & McNab, P. (2015). Voluntary return programs as a humane alternative to forced deportation. Refugees International.[5] Reuters. (2017, June 15). U.S. agencies to offer $1,000 incentives to surrendering illegal immigrants. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-deportation-idUSKBN19D1XL.
- The Trump administration's offer of cash and travel expenses to illegal immigrants who leave the United States voluntarily is a part of the policy-and-legislation under the government's immigration enforcement agenda.
- Immigration lawyer Aaron Reichlen-Melnick questions the wisdom of leaving the country without fighting one's case in court for fear of potential deportation orders and abandonment of various applications like asylum applications.
- Mark Krikorian, head of the Center for Immigration Studies, supports the idea of paying migrants to leave but expresses concerns about the practicality and the need for agreements to ensure individuals who leave don't challenge their removal if they return.
- Critics argue that voluntary return programs, which offer incentives for individuals to leave on their own accord, may exploit vulnerable individuals if not well-structured or lack support for reintegration.
- Addressing the root causes of migration, such as economic instability and conflict, and providing legal pathways for migration could potentially be more effective in managing migration flows than relying solely on voluntary return programs.
