A Cuban who entered the United States through the CBP One program rejected the offer of receiving $1,000 to voluntarily leave the country, an initiative promoted by the Donald Trump administration as an incentive for self-deportation.
“I'm staying here until the end to see what happens,” said the young man in an interview with Alexis Boentes for Telemundo 51. He preferred to remain anonymous and stated that "a thousand dollars is nothing compared to what I could earn by working and contributing to the United States."
In their view, this proposal from the U.S. government is "a strategy to ensure that those who are unclear about what they came to do in this country leave."
Pressure on undocumented immigrants to leave the U.S.
The Cuban recently received an official email instructing him to leave U.S. territory immediately.
The government offer of $1,000 is aimed at those who agree to leave voluntarily and, according to official data, seeks to reduce by 70% the costs associated with arrests, detentions, and deportations, which currently amount to $17,121 per person.
The government stated that the payment would be processed once the immigrant is outside of U.S. territory. After returning to their home country, they must send a notification through the CBP Home app.
Legal risks of self-deportation
The immigration lawyer Armando Olmedo warned, in statements to Univisión Noticias, that accepting this option of self-deportation could have serious consequences for the migratory future of those who choose it.
"The government is promoting this incentive as an option to leave and return in the future, but the reality is that many may not return to the United States for decades," he noted.
Olmedo warns that every person should consult with their immigration attorney before making any decisions as there are facts that many immigrants are unaware of.
“They need to be aware of their files and the penalties that may be applied to them once they leave the United States, as they could face punishments of 5, 10, or 20 years, or even a permanent ban on re-entering the country,” clarified Olmedo.
"Due process" as a legal avenue
Experts agree that the safest way for migrants is to adhere to the due legal process, attend court hearings, and not evade the established procedures. These are the only mechanisms that protect and defend the rights of immigrants, and the only way to achieve legal status in the United States.
The U.S. government indicated that it is in talks with a private company to facilitate payments to those who self-deport, although the mechanism has not yet been detailed and there are many questions about how it will be implemented.
Frequently Asked Questions about Self-Deportation and the CBP Home Program
What is Donald Trump's self-deportation program?
Donald Trump's self-deportation program offers an incentive of $1,000 to immigrants in an irregular situation in the United States to voluntarily return to their country of origin. The proposal includes a plane ticket and the use of the CBP Home app to manage the departure. According to the government, this measure aims to reduce the costs associated with detentions and deportations, optimizing resources and providing a "dignified exit" for immigrants.
What are the legal risks of accepting self-deportation?
Accepting self-deportation could have serious consequences for the immigration future of those who choose this option. According to immigration attorney Armando Olmedo, if an immigrant self-deports, they could face penalties of 5, 10, or 20 years, or even a permanent ban from re-entering the United States. It is advisable to consult an immigration attorney before making a decision.
How does self-deportation affect Cuban immigrants in the U.S.?
For Cuban immigrants, self-deportation could mean the loss of the opportunity to obtain legal status in the United States. A Cuban interviewed preferred to stay in the U.S., arguing that $1,000 is not enough compared to the economic potential the country offers. Furthermore, returning to Cuba could permanently close the doors to a possible U.S. residency.
What is the CBP Home application and how does it work?
The CBP Home app is a digital tool launched by the U.S. government to manage the self-deportation of irregular immigrants. It allows users to notify authorities of their intention to voluntarily leave the country, thereby avoiding more severe deportation processes. It was developed to facilitate an orderly exit process and is based on notifying the intention to leave the country.
What consequences does an immigrant face if they do not self-deport?
An immigrant who does not self-deport could face daily fines of up to $998 and the possible seizure of their property. According to Trump's program, they also risk detention, deportation, and a ban on returning to the U.S. Authorities have emphasized that it is preferable to leave voluntarily to avoid harsher consequences.
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