By YaHind News | May 10, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a proposed self-deportation initiative that would offer financial incentives to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the country, according to sources familiar with the plan.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona over the weekend, Trump said the program aims to reduce the number of undocumented migrants through peaceful means, avoiding large-scale enforcement operations. “Those who are here illegally will be given a chance to leave voluntarily—with dignity—and they will be compensated for doing so,” Trump said, according to campaign remarks reviewed by YaHind News.
The plan, confirmed by senior campaign officials, reportedly includes limited-time assistance packages such as paid airfare and modest stipends for individuals who choose to participate. While full details of the proposed program have yet to be released, campaign aides have suggested it will be part of Trump’s broader immigration platform in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
Sources close to the campaign say the measure is intended to reduce enforcement costs and avoid logistical challenges associated with mass deportations. “It’s a voluntary program, aimed at giving people a choice to leave the U.S. lawfully, before enforcement becomes stricter,” one official said on condition of anonymity.
The idea of paid self-deportation has been floated in the past, both during Trump’s first term and under earlier administrations, but such efforts have historically seen low participation.
Immigration advocacy groups have raised concerns about the ethics and effectiveness of such programs. “Most undocumented individuals have deep community ties and families here. Offering small payments to leave is not a realistic solution,” said the American Immigration Council, urging a focus on comprehensive immigration reform instead.
Legal experts note that while voluntary departure is a legitimate mechanism under immigration law, offering direct financial incentives raises both legal and policy questions. “The U.S. government has previously explored voluntary departure options, but linking them with cash payments may require congressional authorization or regulatory changes,” said Dr. Rachel Menendez, a senior immigration law analyst at Georgetown University Law Center.
The Biden administration has not officially commented on the proposed plan. However, a White House official reiterated the administration’s stance that immigration policy should prioritize fairness, enforcement, and pathways to legal status.
As immigration remains a focal point of the 2024 campaign, Trump has continued to highlight border security and enforcement, themes that resonated strongly with his political base during his 2016 and 2020 campaigns.
More information on the proposed plan is expected to be released in the coming weeks as Trump outlines his full immigration agenda.
