Trump’s Project Homecoming: Free Flights and Cash for Illegal Migrants to Self-Deport

President Donald Trump has rolled out a groundbreaking executive order, launching Project Homecoming, the nation’s first self-deportation program. Signed on Friday, this initiative offers illegal migrants a free flight to any foreign destination and a $1,000 cash stipend to leave voluntarily. Trump, in a spirited Truth Social video, hailed the program as a taxpayer-friendly move, projecting savings of "billions and billions" compared to the $17,000 average cost of traditional deportation.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is repurposing the CBP One app—once a Biden-era tool for scheduling migrant entry—to now facilitate self-deportation bookings. Migrants can arrange their exit with ease, but Trump warned of harsh penalties for those who stay, including jail time, fines, and property confiscation. Yet, he dangled a carrot: compliant migrants might have a shot at legal re-entry if they play by the rules.

The White House frames this as a long-term win, noting that illegal migration cost taxpayers $150 billion in 2023 alone. Trump didn’t mince words, blasting the "lawless invasion" under Biden for straining schools, hospitals, and social services. The program, he argues, is a pragmatic fix to reclaim resources for American citizens.

While the cash-for-departure model is bold, it’s not without risks. Will migrants take the deal, or will enforcement costs spike if they don’t? Trump’s betting on the former, but the real test lies ahead.