President Donald Trump says he is considering the idea of a so-called “self-deportation” program where immigrants who entered the country illegally would be provided airfare and a stipend in exchange for returning to their home countries.
During a taped interview with Fox Noticias, which aired Tuesday, Trump said his current focus is deporting “murderers,” but that for nonviolent offenders, he is considering a more humane approach.
“We’re going to give them a stipend. We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket,” he said. “And then we’re going to work with them, if they’re good, to get them back in as quickly as we can.”
????Trump says he's creating a program for illegals to self-deport & reapply for citizenship:
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 15, 2025
"We're going to work with those people to come back into our country legally — the good ones…We're going to give them a stipend. We're going to give them some money & a plane ticket." pic.twitter.com/3KstdSJKpp
Trump, who built much of his 2016 campaign around mass deportations and border walls, offered little detail on timing or logistics.
The former president also pivoted to the labor market, saying he wants to help hotels and farms find the workers they need.
“We’re doing a self-deportation and we’re going to make it comfortable for people,” Trump said. “And we’re going to work with those people to come back into our country legally.”
The Trump administration is heightening its crackdown on immigration, ramping up aggressive efforts to push migrants out of the country.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced new penalties aimed at migrants under deportation orders, including fines of up to $998 per day for those who remain in the U.S. unlawfully. Officials also warned that individuals who do not comply may face property seizures.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security rolled out a multimillion-dollar media campaign designed to deter migration by warning migrants against crossing the U.S. border illegally. The campaign targets audiences across multiple countries and media formats, including radio, television, social media and direct text messages.
Secretary Kristi Noem echoed the administration’s firm approach in a recent statement: “President Donald J. Trump is securing our borders and putting America first. If you’re here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will not return. But if you leave now, you may still have a chance to experience the American Dream the right way.
“To criminal aliens thinking of entering the U.S.—don’t. If you break our laws, we will hunt you down. Criminals are not welcome here.”
