In the wake of mass deportations by the United States government, President Donald Trump's administration now says it will offer up to Ksh129,000 to illegal immigrants willing to leave the country voluntarily.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made the announcement on Monday afternoon, adding that Trump's administration would also cover the cost of commercial flights for all illegal aliens who choose to self-deport.
The move, which forms part of the broader strategy by the US government to reduce the number of illegal immigrants living in America, will also see thousands of Kenyans either forcefully or voluntarily deported.
In an interview with Fox News, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urged those willing to leave the US voluntarily to apply for their deportation through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app.
According to her, once an illegal immigrant applies for deportation, they would be immediately considered and deprioritised for either detention or forceful removal from America.
She also noted that illegal aliens must register on the CBP Home app and file their notice to leave the US to receive the financial assistance, and the stipend will only be paid once the alien is confirmed to have left the US.
"If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest," Noem said. She went on to add, "DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country."
The DHS Secretary further revealed that the move will save American taxpayers up to 70 per cent, as it currently costs DHS, on average, over Ksh2.1 million ($17,000) to arrest, detain, and deport someone from the US.
"While paying for self-removal flights and the stipend is projected to cost just Ksh581,000 ($4,500), and will be safer for ICE and preserve their resources," Noem reiterated.
The DHS Secretary disclosed that they had already successfully tested the financial assistance programme on several illegal aliens, including one individual who was flown back to Honduras from Chicago.
Since taking office in January this year, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported hundreds of non-US citizens via commercial flights, although the exact number of migrants remains unclear.
The crackdown on unauthorised stay in the US prioritises the deportation of illegal immigrants with criminal records and those suspected of posing national security threats.
