WASHINGTON – The Trump administration plans to provide a $1,000 payment to immigrants living illegally in the United States if they voluntarily return to their home country, as part of its ongoing deportation strategy.

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced via a press release that it will also cover travel costs. Additionally, individuals using the CBP Home app to inform the government of their intention to leave will be a “low priority” for detention and removal by immigration officers.

“Self-deportation is the most effective and safest route if you are in the U.S. illegally. To avoid apprehension, DHS is now supporting illegal immigrants with travel expenses and a stipend to facilitate their departure through the CBP Home App,” stated Secretary Kristi Noem.

President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement and the mass deportation of immigrants in the U.S. illegally a centerpiece of his campaign, but that is a costly, resource-intensive endeavor.

While the Republican administration is pushing Congress for a massive increase in resources for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement department responsible for removing people from the country, it’s also pushing people in the country illegally to “self-deport.”