The first flight carrying migrants who opted for self-deportation from the United States under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative has arrived in Honduras. The program offers free flights and a $1,000 stipend to participants.
A group of 38 Honduran nationals arrived at Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport on Monday afternoon, according to Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio García. These individuals had applied for the program through a mobile application provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“There was a bit of everything. There were mothers with children. Each one was given $1,000, including the children,” García told reporters at the airport. He indicated that up to 19 children were among the arrivals.
Honduran Migration Director Wilson Paz Reyes noted that at least four of the children were born in the U.S., and one was born in Mexico. These children departed the U.S. with their Honduran relatives to prevent family separation, according to Paz Reyes.
“In this case, the U.S. makes the decision, along with their families, that they return to the country so that family disintegration does not occur,” he stated.
One of the deported individuals, Wilson Sáenz, recounted that after requesting to be removed from the U.S., authorities flew him to a hotel in Houston, Texas. From there, he was transported to an airport and provided with food before his flight to Honduras. Another migrant, Kevin Posadas, explained that after applying for self-deportation, officials notified migrants via messages with instructions on when to present themselves. He added, “depending on what state they’re in, they move them to a place that’s closer to send them to Honduras.”
A Homeland Security official confirmed that the flight carried a total of 64 individuals. Minister García stated that the flight was scheduled to continue to Colombia to transport the remaining migrants who had chosen self-deportation.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced, “Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia. If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security initially announced the initiative on May 5, outlining plans to offer undocumented immigrants financial assistance and travel support to facilitate their voluntary return to their home countries through the CBP Home app. This application allows individuals to inform the government of their intention to leave the U.S. voluntarily.
According to the DHS, any undocumented immigrant who utilizes the app to self-deport will receive a stipend of $1,000, payable after they confirm their return to their home country via the app.
The DHS projects that this initiative will lead to a reduction in deportation costs, which currently average over $17,000 per case.
The DHS also stated that those who register for self-deportation through CBP Home will be given lower priority for detention and removal, “as long as they demonstrate they are making meaningful strides in completing that departure.” The agency describes the procedure as a “dignified” and safe means of leaving the country.
Secretary Noem reiterated the message, stating, “If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home. If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return.”
The CBP Home app was previously known as CBP One and was utilized by Customs and Border Protection during the Biden administration to schedule arrivals for individuals seeking asylum.
The self-deportation initiative is part of a broader $200 million DHS advertising campaign aimed at pressuring undocumented migrants to leave the U.S. and “stay out.”
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