The administration of US President Donald Trump is ready to pay $1,000 in compensation to illegal immigrants who decide to leave the country voluntarily, the US Department of Homeland Security said on Monday.
“Self-deportation is the best, safest, and least expensive way to leave the United States without arrest if you are in the country illegally,” the department quoted Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen as saying.
“The department is offering to pay for travel and provide a reward through the CBP Home mobile app for returning home. Every illegal immigrant who uses this app for self-deportation will receive a reward of $1,000 after confirming their return to their home country,” the press release also said.
The Associated Press notes that as part of its tougher immigration policy, the Trump administration has radically updated the app developed under former President Joe Biden. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, which provided access to various agency services for entering the country and obtaining asylum, is now called CBP Home and is designed to “help immigrants return to their home countries,” the agency said.
In recent months, the US president has introduced a series of tough measures to combat illegal immigration. In particular, he has approved initiatives to step up the deportation of illegal immigrants from the US. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump announced the introduction of a state of emergency on the border with Mexico.