The first flight carrying deportees under the self-deportation pilot program from the United States landed Monday afternoon in Honduras. Under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, this program has expanded. It incentivizes undocumented migrants to self-deport from the U.S. and not return. The flight reunited 64 people, including children who are now U.S. citizens, with their home country. This event represents an enormous step forward for U.S. immigration policy.
The effort is just one aspect of a larger $200 million dollar advertisement blitz produced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It aims to proselytize aid to would-be self-deportees, giving every migrant $1,000 to help them go home. The program’s intent is even to address fears of family separation by letting people know they can leave with their loved ones.
When they touched down in Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport, the first group of 38 Hondurans were met with open arms. This event represents the start of a broader immigration policy shift, one that will see additional flights dispatched to Colombia for other migrants willing to join the program. The use of a mobile application provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enabled migrants to apply for self-deportation efficiently.
The deportation flight featured at least four children with U.S. citizenship. Among those on board was one child whose family had migrated to Japan from Mexico. Many of the migrants chose to leave with family members in order to avoid potential separation during the deportation process.
“The U.S. makes the decision, along with their families, that they return to the country so that family disintegration does not occur,” said Wilson Paz Reyes, reflecting on the motivations behind participating in the program.
Secretary Noem reported, “Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home countries of Honduras and Colombia.” She underscored the need to utilize the CBP Home App for individuals looking to return home voluntarily. “If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home,” she stated.
Noem warned that those who do not take advantage of this program may face serious consequences: “If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return.”
As part of the process, Kevin Posadas walked participants through the ways in which officials misled migrants once they submitted their application for self-deportation. “They message migrants telling them when to present themselves,” he noted. Once the treaty was ratified, participants were financially compensated for their travel and lodged, moved, and housed before their return flight home.
Antonio García recounted the experience of those on the flight: “There was a bit of everything. There were mothers with children. Each one was given $1,000, including the children.” He said that as many as 19 children had gotten off this first ever flight.
Together, the self-deportation initiative and DACA would become a new chapter in U.S. immigration policy. Instead, it provides people with a choice to voluntarily exit the country while providing much-needed financial assistance and keeping them with their loved ones.
