The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed a new executive order on immigration this Saturday that authorizes mass raids against migrants through the deployment of over 20,000 agents across the country.
The measure, known as the "Return Home Project," includes an unprecedented nationwide crackdown on undocumented immigrants, with the deployment of over 20,000 enforcement agents across the United States to carry out detention and deportation operations.
"Illegal immigrants now face a clear choice: leave voluntarily with financial assistance, or stay and suffer the consequences," Trump stated while announcing the order, which also introduces a self-deportation program backed by the federal government.
The measure establishes that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must increase its immigration enforcement workforce by at least 20,000 new agents, including personnel retired from federal agencies, state police, and specialized contractors.
This force will be responsible for intensifying detention operations in neighborhoods, workplaces, transportation terminals, and border areas.
According to the official text, undocumented immigrants will be able to take advantage of a government-funded voluntary departure, accessing free flights arranged through the “CBP Home” app and receiving a “departure bonus” as a financial incentive.
For those who choose to stay in the country without legal status, the government warns that they will be subject to immediate expulsion, prosecution for immigration offenses, imprisonment and fines, wage garnishment, and confiscation of personal property, including homes and vehicles.
The official statement from the White House asserts that, over the past four years, the United States has faced a "large-scale invasion" of illegal immigrants, whom it holds responsible for generating "crime, vagrancy, violence, and death" in numerous communities.
The Trump administration argues that the presence of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. has resulted in over 150 billion dollars in annual public expenses, due to health services, education, housing, food, and costs related to criminal activity.
The president believes that the new plan could drastically reduce those expenses through a combination of forced expulsions and incentives for voluntary departure.
Critics of the measure have already begun to question the legality and viability of the plan, considering that it could lead to racial profiling, human rights violations, and a humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, migrant advocacy organizations are preparing for a new wave of raids, particularly in states with high immigrant populations such as California, Texas, and Florida.
The executive order, signed on May 9, 2025, represents the most aggressive tightening of immigration policy in decades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mass Raids Against Immigrants in the U.S.
What does the "Homecoming Project" announced by Trump entail?
The "Return Home Project" is an initiative by the Trump administration that offers undocumented immigrants the option to voluntarily leave the United States, receiving financial support and a free plane ticket managed by the "CBP Home" app. Those who do not choose to leave voluntarily will face severe penalties, including immediate deportation and prosecution for immigration-related offenses.
What are the consequences for immigrants who decide to stay in the U.S. illegally?
Immigrants who choose to remain in the U.S. without legal status will face immediate deportation, prosecution for immigration offenses, imprisonment, and fines. Additionally, they may suffer wage garnishment and the confiscation of personal property, such as homes and vehicles.
What incentives does the Trump administration offer for self-deportation?
The government offers undocumented immigrants a financial incentive of $1,000, along with a free plane ticket for those who choose to self-deport voluntarily and permanently, using the "CBP Home" application. This incentive aims to facilitate the departure of immigrants without resorting to forced deportation.
Why does the Trump administration justify these immigration measures?
The Trump administration argues that the presence of undocumented immigrants has generated an annual public expenditure of over 150 billion dollars due to healthcare services, education, and costs related to crime. It believes that forced removals and incentives for voluntary departure could significantly reduce these expenses.
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