The president Donald Trump declared on Tuesday his intention to offer a financial stipend and a plane ticket to immigrants who are in the country illegally and choose to self-deport.
He also noted that his administration would work to facilitate the return of those he considers “good”, marking a significant shift from his usual hardline rhetoric on immigration issues.
In an interview broadcast on Tuesday by Fox News, Trump stated that “we are going to give them a stipend. We are going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then we will work with them, if they are good, if we want them to return, we will work with them to return as quickly as possible”.
Although the president did not provide specific details about the implementation of the program, he highlighted that its main focus is to deport violent criminals, such as "murderers." For other immigrants with no criminal records, the administration aims to facilitate their voluntary departure and potentially their legal return.
During the interview, Trump also discussed the importance of immigrants in key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and hospitality. He expressed his interest in working with these workers so that they can return legally and fill necessary vacancies in the country.
The Republican, who was interviewed by Rachel Campos-Duffy, wife of the current Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, was also questioned with a video of a Mexican migrant, whose legal status is unknown, but in the clip, he mentions that although he cannot vote, he would have supported Trump.
"I see this man. I mean, this is a guy we want to keep around,” the president responded, adding that “I will probably be criticized for saying this.”
The interviewer then asked if the man was in danger of being deported. "I don't think he's in danger of that," replied the official.
Trump concluded the conversation by stating that "we are doing a self-deportation and we are going to make it comfortable for people".
The self-deportation program aligns with other recent initiatives by the administration, such as the launch of the "CBP Home" application, designed for undocumented immigrants to notify their intention to voluntarily leave the United States. The application replaces "CBP One", which was used during the previous administration to manage appointments for legal entry applications to the country.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has indicated that those who do not register with the federal government could face fines of up to $998 per day and the inability to return to the United States in the future.
This approach aims to reduce the population of undocumented immigrants in the country, estimated to be between 20 and 21 million people, according to Noem. The administration believes that facilitating the voluntary departure of these individuals is a more effective and less costly strategy than forced deportations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's Self-Deportation Proposal
What does Donald Trump propose for immigrants who decide to self-deport?
Donald Trump proposes to offer a financial stipend and a plane ticket to immigrants who are in the country illegally and choose to self-deport. Additionally, his administration would work to facilitate the legal return of those he deems "good."
How will the CBP Home app work for undocumented immigrants?
The CBP Home application allows undocumented immigrants to inform authorities of their intention to voluntarily leave the country. The goal is to provide an orderly process for those who wish to leave U.S. territory without facing more severe consequences, such as daily fines of up to $998 or being barred from returning to the U.S.
What consequences do immigrants face if they do not self-deport?
Immigrants who do not voluntarily self-deport could face fines of up to $998 per day and the possibility of being forcibly deported, in addition to a ban on returning to the United States in the future.
What is the impact of Trump's policies on sectors such as agriculture and hospitality?
Trump has acknowledged the importance of immigrants in key sectors such as agriculture and hospitality. He has suggested providing immigration relief to certain undocumented workers by allowing them to return with legal visas to fill necessary vacancies in the country. This measure aims to mitigate the negative impact that a policy of mass deportations could have on the U.S. economy.
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