U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new initiative aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country. Speaking in an interview with Fox Noticias, Trump said his administration plans to offer financial incentives — including stipends and airfare — to those who agree to self-deport.
The plan is part of a broader effort to focus immigration enforcement on individuals with serious criminal records, while offering a potential legal pathway back into the U.S. for those deemed “good” candidates.
Trump explained his plan saying, “We’re going to give them a stipend. We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then we’re going to work with them — if they’re good — if we want them back in, we’re going to work with them to get them back in as quickly as we can.”
Donald Trump softens his stance on Immigration with this new plan
This proposal represents a shift from Trump’s previously hardline stance on immigration, signaling a more pragmatic approach that attempts to balance enforcement with economic and humanitarian considerations. However, specific details regarding the program’s eligibility criteria, implementation timeline, and application process have not yet been released.
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The plan also aims to support industries such as agriculture and hospitality, both of which have been affected by labor shortages. Trump noted that his administration would recommend individuals to fill essential roles in these sectors, suggesting that this approach would benefit employers — especially farmers and hoteliers — while creating legal avenues for reentry.
“We want to help the farms, we want to help the hotels,” Trump said, adding that undocumented workers could leave the U.S. and return with proper authorization.
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During the interview, a video was shown featuring a Mexican man who has lived in the U.S. for over 20 years and whose children are American citizens. Although he is undocumented, the man voiced support for Trump and emphasized that those who commit crimes should be deported. In response, Trump said, “This is a guy we want to keep,” acknowledging that he might face criticism for expressing that view. He added, “I don’t think he’s in any danger” when asked about the man’s risk of deportation.
Trump Administration launches a new app for Deportation
To streamline the self-deportation process, the Trump administration has launched the CBP Home app, which allows undocumented immigrants to voluntarily declare their intention to leave. The app is part of the administration’s push for immigrants to actively participate in their own departure procedures.
As reported by Reuters, the White House has not provided further clarification or specifics about the program. While the plan seeks to address labor demands and promote lawful immigration, its effectiveness will depend on the cooperation of undocumented individuals and the success of the app-based system.
