Trump launches paid self-deportation program to end ‘invasion’

President Trump signs executive order for federally funded self-deportation program with paid flights and exit bonus for immigrants.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday (May 9, 2025) to create a federally funded self-deportation program with paid flights and an “exit bonus” for any who seek to “voluntarily and permanently” leave the U.S.

In a statement posted to the White House’s website, Mr. Trump lashed out at immigrants, blaming “a full-scale invasion” of those who stay in the U.S. illegally for crime and violence.

“Illegal aliens who stay in America face punishments, including — sudden deportation, in a place and manner solely of our discretion. TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT RIGHT NOW!” Mr. Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social.

The promise of a reward was followed by the threat of penalties for those deemed in violation of immigration law.

Anyone who does not self-deport, Mr. Trump said, can face “significant jail time, enormous financial penalties, confiscation of all property, garnishment of all wages, imprisonment and incarceration, and sudden deportation in a place and manner solely of our discretion.”

Friday’s (May 9, 2025) announcement followed Mr. Trump’s comments to reporters on Monday (May 5, 2025), pledging to “pay each one a certain amount of money, and we’re going to get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday (May 5, 2025) that her department will operate a $1,000 stipend program, to be paid after a person’s return to their home country has been confirmed through the CBP Home app.