Unleashing the $1,000 Exodus: Voluntary Departure for Undocumented Immigrants
U.S. Provides $1,000 Financial Incentive to Migrants Choosing Voluntary Departure, Saving Costs Compared to Forced Removal, Says Department of Homeland Security.
It's time to bid adieu to the United States - and collect a sweet $1,000 for it! The Trump administration has unveiled a generous offer to undocumented immigrants living in the States: a stipend and travel assistance for those who decide to leave voluntarily.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this voluntary departure is the "best, safest, and most cost-effective" choice for those who are in the States illegally. This sayonara special comes complete with the use of the CBP Home app, a handy tool that allows immigrants to let the government know they're on their way out.
Immigrants using the app will receive travel assistance and be "deprioritized" for detention and removal by immigration enforcement, making their departures smoother and less stressful, thanks to the state's compassionate approach.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained, "If you are here illegally, leaving voluntarily is the smartest move, both for you and for the taxpayers. DHS is now helping illegal aliens with travel arrangements and even throwing in a little cash for the road!"
The DHS claims that voluntary departures will cost less than forced deportations, saving taxpayers a pretty penny. The average cost of rounding up, imprisoning, and deporting someone without legal status currently hovers around $17,000, according to the DHS.
Donald Trump swung into office promising to deport millions of people. However, so far, he's fallen behind his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, in terms of deportation numbers. The Biden administration faced record levels of undocumented immigration and quickly returned many caught crossing the border.
The Trump administration has been urging migrants and asylum seekers to leave on their own, through threats of steep fines, attempts to take away legal status, and the infamous shipping of people to prisons in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and El Salvador.
Trump hinted at this voluntary departure scheme back in April, promising migrants and asylum seekers that they could return once they were "good." In the latest announcement, the DHS promised that leaving now may help preserve the possibility of re-entering legally, though no specific pathway or program was mentioned.
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Enrichment Data:While exiting the US, eligible immigrants can enjoy the following perks, facilitated through the CBP Home app:- Eligibility: Undocumented immigrants who use the app to inform Customs and Border Protection of their intent to leave are eligible for the assistance package[1].- Process: After verifying the immigrant's return to their home country, the app handles travel arrangements, including booking airline tickets[1].- Rationale: The Trump administration believes this approach will save taxpayers 70% as compared to forced deportations, as it reduces risks for both law enforcement and the migrants[1].- Policy context: Originally, the CBP Home app was utilized for scheduling asylum appointments. Now, it serves to facilitate deportations, and participating may preserve eligibility for future legal re-entry[2].
- The Trump administration's voluntary departure offer for undocumented immigrants includes a stipend and travel assistance, making it an attractive choice for those who decide to leave.
- Using the CBP Home app, immigrants can inform the government of their intention to leave and receive assistance with travel arrangements, reducing the stress of departures.
- Secretary Kristi Noem stated that leaving illegally in a voluntary manner is the smartest choice, benefiting both the immigrants and the taxpayers.
- The Department of Homeland Security claims that voluntary departures will cost less than forced deportations, potentially saving taxpayers a significant sum.
- The DHS encourages migrants and asylum seekers to leave voluntarily, offering the possibility of future legal re-entry as an incentive.
- The CBP Home app, initially used for asylum appointments, now facilitates deportations and may preserve eligibility for future legal re-entry, demonstrating a shift in policy and legislation regarding immigration and politics in general news.
