Trump’s historic first $1,000 self-deportation flight takes off. Here’s how it’s going …

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially overseen its first “self-deportation” charter flight.

In early May, DHS announced its intent to incentivize self-deportation by offering those willing to fly themselves home a $1,000 stipend. This move not only helps President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, but it actually saves taxpayer money.

The first flight helped 64 people return home to Colombia and Honduras. A DHS press release provided additional details, clarifying that the flight was “voluntary,” and not the result of an “ICE enforcement operation.”

“All participants were offered the same benefits as any illegal alien who self-deports using the CBP Home App. They received travel assistance, a $1,000 stipend, and preserved the possibility they could one day return to the United States legally,” the statement continued.

As BizPac Review previously reported, the department’s self-deportation plan aims to lower the overall cost of sending illegal immigrants back to their home countries. On average, it costs around $17,000 to detain, process and deport an illegal alien, but the new plan would only cost around $4,500 per person on average.

To prevent fraud or abuse, which is something Trump has also been cracking down on, the stipend will not be provided until the self-deportation has been verified. To do this, the illegal alien will use the new CBP Home app to perform the self-deportation and access the assistance. Those utilizing the app to send themselves home will reportedly be “deprioritized for detention and removal” by DHS.

“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” said Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary. “DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App. This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens, and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers. Download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.”

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) warned that taking the assistance may mean that self-deporters may not be able to return to the United States in the future.

“AILA cautions individuals when reviewing the announcement to understand it is deceptive and gives people the impression there are no consequences, such as being barred from returning in the future. No one should accept this without first obtaining good legal advice from an immigration attorney or other qualified representative,” they said in a statement. “It is unethical for the government to tell people ‘Self-Deportation Is Safe’ but not explain the hardship and legal risks to them, especially for people who do not have an attorney and will not know their rights under the law.”

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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