Trump Self-Deportation Program: US President Donald Trump has a new pitch for undocumented immigrants: take the money, hop on a plane, and maybe we’ll talk about letting you back in later.
In an interview aired Tuesday, Trump told Fox Noticias’ Rachel Campos-Duffy that his administration plans to launch a “self-deportation program” featuring cash incentives and a potential path to return legally. “We’re going to give them a stipend,” Trump said, according to the official transcript of the Monday-taped interview.
“We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then we’re going to work with them. If they’re good, if we want them back in, we’re going to work with them to get them back in as quickly as we can.”
This softer-sounding approach appears to contrast Trump’s traditionally tough stance on immigration. The White House hasn’t released specifics on how the program will work, who qualifies, or when it might begin, but the emphasis appears to be on deporting those with criminal records while creating a path back for “model” migrants.
The plan also comes with a side pitch to America’s struggling labour sectors. Trump suggested that workers who leave the country under this program could return to fill roles in farming and hospitality. “Very soothing,” he said of the idea, especially for farmers and hotels that rely on immigrant labour.
“We’re doing a self-deportation and we’re going to make it comfortable for people,” he said. “And we’re going to work with those people to come back into our country legally.”
#EsNoticia 🇺🇸 “Les vamos a dar algo de dinero y un boleto de avión”, Trump anuncia nuevo programa de auto deportación
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El presidente de Estados Unidos, @potus, aseguró que su prioridad es sacar a los criminales violentos de EEUU.📹Video: Fox Noticias
📲Más en… pic.twitter.com/pc5Ut77Zf6— EVTV (@EVTVMiami) April 15, 2025
In a moment during the interview, Trump was shown a clip of a Mexican man — undocumented, in the US for over 20 years, with American citizen children — who supported Trump’s views and advocated for deporting criminals. Trump replied: “I look at this man. I say, this is a guy that we want to keep… I’ll probably take heat for saying it.” And when asked if the man was at risk of deportation, Trump added, “I don’t think he’s in any danger of it.”
Trump had pledge to deport record numbers of undocumented immigrants if re-elected and administration has already made headlines for encouraging immigrants to assist in their own removals.
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It has launched a new tech tool — the CBP Home app — allowing migrants to signal their intent to leave.
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