USA offers migrants money if they "deport themselves"

The US President continues to push through his tough immigration policy: The United States is now offering illegal immigrants $1,000 if they "self-deport." The government will also cover the costs of their departure.

The US government under Donald Trump wants to pay illegal immigrants $1,000 (€882) if they leave the country voluntarily

According to the Department of Homeland Security, anyone who uses the "self-deportation" feature via a corresponding app will receive the money. The app detects when the person has arrived in their home country, and only then is the money disbursed. The U.S. government will also cover the costs of financing the departure.

Department head Kristi Noem said: “If you are in the United States illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States and avoid arrest.”

Trump has consistently pursued his tough immigration policy since taking office. Under the administration of Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, the CBP One app made it possible for migrants to schedule appointments for their asylum applications at US border crossings from Mexico, for example. Under Trump, the app was renamed CPB Home and repurposed exclusively for deportations.

People who are illegally residing in the US can now use the app to communicate their desire to leave.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the average cost to arrest, detain, and deport an illegal immigrant is $17,121 (approximately €15,110). However, those who express their intention to leave voluntarily on the app will be exempt from detention, it added.

Trump's immigration policy has been terrifying those potentially affected for months. Thousands have already protested the US government's actions toward migrants.