Trump Administration Offers $1,000 Stipend to Migrants Who Voluntarily Self-Deport

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a new initiative offering financial incentives to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal. Under the program, migrants who self-deport will receive a $1,000 stipend after successfully returning to their home country.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), DHS Secretary Kristi Noem framed the program as a cost-saving and safer alternative to forced deportations. “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” Noem wrote.

“DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App. This is the safest option for our law enforcement and aliens and is a 70% savings for U.S. taxpayers.”

Migrants who use the CBP Home app — originally designed under the Biden administration for scheduling legal entry appointments — can now arrange their voluntary departure. Payment is issued once officials confirm the individual has successfully returned to their country of origin.

Reports indicate at least one migrant from Honduras has already completed the process and received the stipend.

However, several questions remain unanswered. DHS has not disclosed how much funding has been allocated to the program or which specific budget lines will cover the payments. It also remains unclear whether the $1,000 incentive will be enough to persuade large numbers of migrants to leave voluntarily.

The move comes amid challenges facing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. Despite campaign promises to ramp up deportations, removal rates during Trump’s early months have lagged behind the final year of President Joe Biden’s term, with an average of 660 deportations per day compared to Biden’s 742 daily average in 2024.

In an effort to bolster deportation efforts, the administration has also engaged in talks with countries like Rwanda about housing migrants. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed ongoing discussions but stressed that plans are still in the preliminary stages.

Immigration policy remains a top focus for the Trump administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently emphasized broader diplomatic efforts during a cabinet meeting, stating, “We have gone to countries all over the world and said, ‘Hey, you want good relations with the United States, you need to take back your people that are here illegally.’ And we’ve had historic cooperation.”

Rubio added that the administration is actively seeking other nations willing to accept migrants from third countries.