MxM News

Quick Hit:

The Trump admin will now cover the cost of flights for illegal immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. and provide them with a $1,000 stipend after their departure is confirmed. DHS estimates the move will save taxpayers 70% compared to traditional arrest and deportation efforts.

Key Details:

• According to Fox News’s Bill Melugin, DHS will announce a new policy that funds commercial airfare for illegal aliens who register to self-deport through the CBP Home app and follow through on leaving the country.

• Once an individual’s exit is confirmed through the app, they will receive a $1,000 stipend. DHS says this approach reduces the average cost per removal from $17,000 to just $4,500.

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that this method avoids arrest and detention, calling it the “safest option” for both law enforcement and the migrants involved.

If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.

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… pic.twitter.com/2f02wLWQi5

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 5, 2025

Diving Deeper:

The Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration is rolling out a new initiative aimed at encouraging voluntary self-deportation among illegal immigrants by offering financial incentives and logistical assistance. As first reported by Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, the department will now pay for the commercial airfare of those who choose to leave the country voluntarily and will provide a $1,000 stipend once their departure is verified.

A DHS spokesperson told Fox News the program is expected to reduce deportation costs by over 70%, cutting the average expense from more than $17,000 per removal to approximately $4,500. “This will be safer for ICE and preserve their resources,” the department said, highlighting the policy’s benefits for both enforcement and fiscal responsibility.

Illegal immigrants who wish to participate must register via the CBP Home app and notify authorities of their intent to leave. Once they do so, they will be deprioritized for ICE enforcement and maintain the possibility of legally returning to the United States in the future. According to DHS’s official website, participants in the program may be eligible for financial assistance, help with travel documents, and logistical coordination to arrange departure within roughly three weeks of approval.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the program, saying: “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” she said. “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.”

From the Daily Caller News Foundation

By Katelynn Richardson

The Department of Justice (DOJ) released documents Wednesday demonstrating Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia’s membership in the MS-13 gang.

Abrego Garcia’s police interview, immigration court rulings and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deportable/inadmissible alien record highlighting his membership in the gang, which he has disputed in court, are included in the release.

In a December 2019 decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed Abrego Garcia’s challenge to an immigration judge’s factual finding that he is “a verified member of MS-13.”

The board found the immigration judge “appropriately considered allegations of gang affiliation against the respondent in determining that he has not demonstrated that he is not a danger to property or persons.”

Officers found Abrego Garcia loitering in a Home Depot parking lot on March 28, 2019, wearing “a Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie with rolls of money covering the eyes, ears and mouth of the presidents on the separate denominations,” the initial Prince George’s County Police Department Gang Field Interview Sheet states.

“Wearing the Chicago Bulls hat represents that they are a member in good standing with the MS-13,” the document states. “Officers contacted a past proven and reliable source of information, who advised Kilmar Armando ABREGO-GARCIA is an active member of MS-13 with the Westerns clique. The confidential source further advised that he is the rank of ‘Chequeo’ with the moniker of ‘Chele.’”

The administration became embroiled in a legal dispute after Abrego Garcia, who entered the country illegally in 2011, was deported in March to El Salvador as a result of an error. In court records, they argued Abrego Garcia could not “relitigate the finding that he is a danger to the community.”

A lower court ordered his return, but the Supreme Court required it to clarify the order and directed the administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s release.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) indicated Wednesday that it would appeal the amended order Judge Paula Xinis issued which directed the government to “take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States as soon as possible.”

During a Monday meeting with President Donald Trump, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said he would not “smuggle” a terrorist into the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also released court filings Wednesday showing Abrego Garcia’s wife requested a domestic violence restraining order against him.