The Trump administration recently introduced a new program that provides $1,000 in financial aid and travel assistance to undocumented immigrants who decide to leave the United States voluntarily, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS stated that self-deportation is viewed as the optimal, secure, and economical method for individuals to exit the United States to evade potential arrest. The initiative is being administered through the CBP One mobile app.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized, “For those who are residing in the U.S. unlawfully, self-deportation is the most advantageous, secure, and cost-efficient way to leave the country to evade arrest. DHS is now providing financial aid for travel and a stipend to facilitate voluntary departure through the CBP Home App.”

Immigration enforcement remains a key focus of Donald Trump’s presidency and re-election campaign. However, officials acknowledge that deportations are expensive. DHS estimates the cost of arresting, detaining, and deporting a person without legal status at approximately $17,000.

The agency noted that the new stipend program costs significantly less and has already been used. “An individual who entered the country under the Biden administration recently took advantage of the initiative to return to Honduras on a flight from Chicago,” DHS reported. “Additional flights are scheduled in the coming weeks.”

Since Trump returned to office on January 20, his administration has deported approximately 152,000 people. That figure is lower than the 195,000 deportations recorded from February to April last year under the Biden administration.