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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday that the first group of undocumented immigrants participating in a voluntary self-deportation program has officially left the country. Sixty-four individuals departed from Houston on a charter flight, bound for Honduras and Colombia as part of the federal initiative dubbed ‘Project Homecoming’.
In exchange for a $1,000 stipend and assistance with travel arrangements, the participants agreed to leave the United States voluntarily. According to DHS, the program allows individuals to preserve the possibility of returning to the U.S. legally in the future.
Of the 64 migrants, 38 were flown to Honduras and 26 to Colombia. DHS described the flight as a “voluntary charter”, emphasizing that participants made the decision to depart without being subjected to formal removal proceedings.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called on other undocumented migrants to consider enrolling in the program.
“Take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home,” Noem urged in a public statement. “If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation, and will never be allowed to return.”
She added, “If you are in this country illegally, self-deport now and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way.”
The launch of Project Homecoming comes amid a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to crack down on illegal immigration following his return to office in January. Since then, the administration has implemented aggressive measures to increase deportations, including the use of a wartime provision to summarily expel individuals accused of gang affiliations and deploying U.S. troops to reinforce the southern border.
Additionally, tariffs have been placed on Mexico and Canada, with the administration accusing both nations of failing to adequately curb illegal border crossings.
While immigration advocates have expressed concern about the pressure such programs place on vulnerable populations, DHS maintains that Project Homecoming offers a more humane alternative to forced removals. The department said it is continuing outreach efforts to encourage participation, promising financial incentives and future immigration eligibility for those who comply.
As U.S. immigration policy continues to evolve, the Project Homecoming initiative marks a significant pivot toward incentivized self-removal — a strategy designed to reduce the number of undocumented migrants in the country while avoiding lengthy and costly deportation proceedings.
Nycaribnews.com
