Trump admin to PAY illegal immigrants $1000, cover flights if they self-deport

The DHS says that this will save taxpayers “70%, as it currently costs DHS, on average, over $17,000 to arrest, detain, and deport someone from the U.S., while paying for self-removal flights & the stipend is projected to cost just $4,500, and will be safer for ICE and preserve their resources," per Fox News' Bill Melugin.

In order to receive the compensation, the illegal immigrants must register on the CBP Home App and file a notice to leave the US.

In a statement to Fox, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said, “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. This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers. Download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.”

Noem has made repeated warnings to illegal immigrants within the United States, even going so far as to tour the CECOT, El Salvador’s terrorism confinement center.

"President Trump and I have a clear message to criminal illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW. If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadorian prison,” Noem said.

According to the DHS, "the Trump Administration has arrested over 158,000 illegal aliens in 2025 alone, including more than 600 members of Tren de Aragua. Under President Trump, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is targeting the worst of the worst, 75% of their arrests are criminal illegal aliens with convictions or pending charges."