DHS Offers Flights and $1,000 Stipend to Illegal Immigrants Who Self-Deport, Citing Big Taxpayer Savings

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rolled out a plan that’s equal parts eyebrow-raising and budget-conscious: they’ll foot the bill for commercial flights and throw in a $1,000 stipend for illegal immigrants who choose to self-deport. According to DHS, this move could save American taxpayers big bucks—about 70% per deportation, compared to the current average of $17,000 for arresting, detaining, and removing someone. With this new approach, DHS estimates the cost will drop to around $4,500 per person, stipend included.

The $1,000 bonus only lands after DHS confirms the individual has actually left the country. The self-deportation process is getting a tech upgrade, too: migrants can now access help via the CBP Home self-deportation app. DHS expects a surge in self-removals as word gets out—apparently, there’s an app for everything these days, even deportation.

Those who take this route will be “deprioritized for detention and removal” as long as they’re actively working on their exit, DHS said. Secretary Kristi Noem called self-deportation "the best, safest, and most cost-effective way" for illegal immigrants to avoid arrest, and encouraged people to “download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.” A new era of push notifications, but for plane tickets home.

There’s another incentive: people who self-deport maintain the possibility of legally re-entering the U.S. in the future. That’s a rare silver lining in the world of immigration policy.

Still, the plan isn’t without controversy. Some critics argue that giving taxpayer money to people who broke the law isn’t exactly a feel-good headline. DHS admits this is a concern, but insists that the overall savings for taxpayers—and the boost in removals—justify the approach.

Meanwhile, illegal crossings have slowed nearly to a halt, and the Trump administration is focusing on deporting those with criminal convictions, even transferring gang members to prisons abroad. For those with criminal charges, don’t expect a $1,000 travel voucher anytime soon.