() The Department of Homeland Security announced Monday it will give immigrants in the United States illegally who self-deport a $1,000 stipend after they return to their home country.
“Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App,” DHS said in a statement. “Any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App to self-deport will also receive a stipend of $1000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app.”
The department said the stipends would save the government money, decreasing the cost of deportations by around 70%. It said it currently costs about $17,121 to arrest, detain and remove illegal immigrants.
The first use of travel assistance has already occurred and was successful, the department said. An immigrant without legal status recently used the program to receive a ticket for a flight from Chicago to Honduras, officials said. Additional tickets have already been booked for the next two weeks, according to DHS officials.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “This is the safest option for our law enforcement.”
