Trump administration offers $1,000 to undocumented immigrants for voluntary departure

The Trump administration has announced a new initiative offering $1,000 and travel assistance to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Monday that individuals using the CBP Home app to notify authorities of their intent to leave will be deprioritized for detention and deportation.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the initiative as the safest and most cost-effective way for individuals without legal status to depart the U.S. DHS noted that voluntary returns are significantly cheaper than formal deportations, which cost an average of $17,000 per person.

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has pledged mass deportations, but the administration has removed 152,000 individuals—fewer than under the same period during President Joe Biden’s term. The new policy aims to reduce enforcement costs while encouraging undocumented immigrants to leave, though no clear pathway for legal return was specified.