In the wake of controversy surrounding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia that has raised questions about President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, the Department of Homeland Security made what it described as a “historic” announcement Monday.
It described it as an “opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App,” that allows any illegal alien who uses the app to self-deport to receive a $1,000 stipend. They would not receive the stipend until they confirm their return to their home country through the app.
Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies anti-immigration think tank, joined WWL’s Newell Normand this week to discuss the program.
“It’s definitely worth trying,” Krikorian said. “There’s this kind of two parts to something like this. There’s a carrot and a stick. And so what people have been talking about is the carrot that you’d get a thousand dollars once you land back in your home country.”
He added that some people have argued that the amount isn’t enough to make a difference. However, Krikorian said that the less obvious benefits might entice people to take up the offer, like avoiding fines for not registering with the government.
“Why not take the thousand bucks, keep your own property, sell it, or whatever you want to do, take it home with you, and you get a free airline ticket,” Krikorian said. “It’s a much better deal than the alternative.”
Another benefit, he told Normand, is the possibility of returning to the U.S. legally.
“If you engage in this, they almost forget that you came here illegally because they will allow you to come back in a legal fashion and you’re not punished,” said Krikorian. That might appeal to people who have had children and grandchildren in the U.S. and do not want to risk not seeing them again if they are deported in a different fashion, he said.
Per the DHS press release, illegal aliens who voluntarily self-deport will be deprioritized for detention and removal, “as long as they demonstrate they are making meaningful strides in completing that departure.”
Participation in CBP Home Self-Deportation may help preserve the option for an illegal alien to re-enter the United States legally in the future.
At this point, he said he is not aware if anyone has taken the government up on its offer. When Normand asked if he believes that the Trump administration might be sued over the announcement, Krikorian said that he believes it is in accordance with existing U.S. laws.
“Self-deportation is a dignified way to leave the U.S. and will allow illegal aliens to avoid being encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” said the DHA announcement. “Even with the cost of the stipend, it is projected that the use of CBP Home will decrease the costs of a deportation by around 70%. Currently the average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an illegal alien is $17,121.”
According to the DHS, a travel assistance for illegal aliens has already been successful. Through the program, an illegal alien who entered the U.S. during former President Joe Biden’s term recently received “a ticket for a flight from Chicago to Honduras,” and “additional tickets have already been booked for this week and the following week,” it added.