The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported this Monday that it will eliminate the accumulated fines for thousands of undocumented migrants as long as they meet one condition: self-deportation using the CBP Home app, a technological tool designed to manage voluntary departure from the country.
“With a free flight, a stipend of $1,000, and the forgiveness of fines, illegal immigrants have no excuse to stay in the United States”, stated the DHS in an official statement issued on June 9.
With the new approach, the government aims to facilitate and promote self-deportation as the main exit route for those who are in the country irregularly.
The offered benefits include:
-Total forgiveness of accumulated civil fines for not leaving the country.
-Free trip to the country of origin.
-A departure bonus of $1,000, to be given once the return is confirmed.
“Self-deportation is the safest and most economical way to leave the U.S. By self-deporting, undocumented immigrants control their departure and can retain the opportunity to return to the U.S. legally and properly in the future”, emphasizes the DHS statement.
Additionally, the interface of the CBP Home application has been simplified to make the process more accessible.
It is now available on Android and Apple devices, as well as directly on the official website of the Department of Homeland Security.
Warning to those who do not cooperate
The Secretary of National Security, Kristi Noem, has been unequivocal in her warning to those who choose to ignore this option:
"If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home app to manage your departure and receive financial support to return home. If you do not, you will be subject to fines, arrest, deportation, and will never be able to return."
This approach represents a dual strategy: a hardline stance for those who remain, but legal and economic benefits for those who leave voluntarily.
A sanctions system inherited from Trump's first term
An old immigration law from 1996, reactivated in 2018 during Donald Trump's first term, is being used to impose daily economic sanctions on migrants who violate expulsion orders issued by immigration judges in the United States.
The fines imposed so far total up to 1.8 million dollars and affect around 4,500 migrants.
Authorities indicate that the total amount accumulated from sanctions imposed on 1.4 million people with final deportation orders would exceed 500 million dollars, as recently confirmed to Reuters by a high-ranking official speaking on condition of anonymity.
Fines that can reach up to 998 dollars per day are applied retroactively for up to five years.
The notifications come from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for executing potential seizures.
Migrants have 30 days to appeal, under oath and with supporting documentation.
The case of Wendy Ortiz: Salvadoran mother fined $1.8 million
One of the most notable cases in recent weeks has been that of Wendy Ortiz, a 32-year-old Salvadoran resident in Pennsylvania.
Wendy had been in the U.S. for a decade, working at a meatpacking plant where she earns $13 an hour, and she has received a fine of $1.8 million.
Ortiz fled his country due to domestic violence and gang threats. His son, a U.S. citizen, is six years old and lives with autism.
In 2015, Wendy crossed the border and was released after being deemed to have a "credible fear." She was never issued a court summons and was deported in absentia in 2018.
Last January, her attorney, Rosina Stambaugh, requested humanitarian relief. She argued that Ortiz would face serious dangers if he returned to El Salvador and that his son would lose access to his therapies. She requested procedural discretion and the reopening of the case, but the situation changed with Trump's return to the White House.
Reuters spoke with eight lawyers who reported fines ranging from a few thousand to a maximum of 1.8 million.
One of them, Robert Scott, confirmed that his client, a Mexican woman who has been living in the United States for 25 years, also received the maximum fine. She was unaware that she had a deportation order since 2013.
Similar cases affect families with mixed immigration status.
An American citizen, Rosa, reported that her Honduran husband was fined $5,000. Although he received voluntary departure in 2018, he did not leave the country due to his cancer treatment.
Legal experts anticipate a wave of litigation and judicial resistance in the coming weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Trump Administration's Self-Deportation Policy
What benefits does the Trump administration offer to migrants who self-deport?
The Trump administration offers a free trip to the country of origin, a $1,000 departure bonus, and a waiver of accumulated fines to undocumented migrants who self-deport using the CBP Home app. This initiative aims to facilitate the voluntary departure of migrants and reduce the costs associated with forced deportations.
What is the CBP Home app and how is it used?
The CBP Home app is a digital tool designed for immigrants in irregular status to notify their intention to voluntarily leave the United States. It is available for Android and Apple devices, and it facilitates the self-deportation process in an organized manner. Users can register their intention to leave, book free flights, and confirm their return to their country of origin to receive the economic incentive.
What are the consequences for migrants who do not take advantage of the self-deportation program?
Migrants who do not opt for self-deportation face fines, arrest, forced deportation, and a ban on returning to the United States. The Trump administration has warned that those who remain illegally in the country will be identified and severely punished, with daily fines of up to $998 and the potential seizure of assets.
What impact does the self-deportation program have on Trump's immigration policy?
The self-deportation program seeks to optimize resource use and project control over irregular immigration. By offering incentives for voluntary departure, the Trump administration aims to reduce the costs of traditional deportations and free up resources from immigration agencies, while tightening measures against those who remain illegally.
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