The Trump administration’s DHS has officially launched its bold $1,000 “self-deportation” program, with 64 illegal aliens voluntarily returning to their countries on the first charter flight.
As millions of illegal aliens continue to strain American resources, this innovative approach could save taxpayers billions while encouraging those here illegally to return home.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the first Project Homecoming charter flight departed from Houston, dropping off 38 illegals in Honduras and 26 in Colombia.
As part of the program, each participant received a $1,000 stipend, fulfilling President Trump’s promise to address the border crisis with effective solutions.
“Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia,” Noem stated.
The initiative follows the introduction of the CBP Home app, a repurposed version of the Biden administration’s CBP One app, which previously scheduled asylum hearings.
The new system allows illegal aliens to arrange their voluntary departure while receiving financial incentives.
NEW: First Trump $1,000 "self-deport" flight conducted by DHS https://t.co/ocZrK5t2QM
— The Hill (@thehill) May 19, 2025
Secretary Noem made the choice clear for those in the country illegally:
“If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home. If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return.”
Participants received not only the $1,000 stipend but also travel assistance and the possibility of returning to the U.S. legally in the future.
In Honduras, returnees received additional government assistance, including $100 and food vouchers through the country’s “Hermano, Hermana, Vuelve a Casa” program.
Furthermore, the administration describes the flights as voluntary and separate from ICE enforcement operations.
Still, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) criticized the program, claiming the government was not fully explaining potential legal consequences to participants.
Despite AILA’s complaints, the program offers a humane alternative to forced deportations while saving American taxpayers the enormous costs of housing, feeding, and processing illegal aliens through the court system.
DHS has shared positive imagery of the process, highlighting participants being welcomed home by family members and government representatives.
Such a program is part of President Trump’s broader strategy to reverse the border crisis that exploded under the Biden-Harris administration.
Although legal battles continue over various aspects of immigration enforcement, Project Homecoming represents a market-based solution that respects the dignity of migrants while prioritizing American sovereignty and taxpayers.
With millions of illegals currently in the United States, the incentivized self-deportation program could prove to be both cost-effective and efficient if it continues to attract participants.
Additional flights are expected in the coming weeks as the administration ramps up its efforts to restore order at the southern border and within American communities overwhelmed by illegal immigration.
