Understanding the Current Immigration Crisis: A Call to Action
In the past four years, the United States has experienced a significant influx of undocumented immigrants, often portrayed as a full-scale invasion. This situation has allegedly led to increased crime, homelessness, and violence in numerous communities across the nation. It is argued that this influx has strained public services, particularly in schools and hospitals, diverting essential resources away from American citizens and costing taxpayers billions of dollars in social services.
The ongoing presence of these undocumented immigrants has placed a considerable financial burden on American taxpayers. This burden encompasses various expenses, including healthcare, food assistance, public housing, emergency services, education, and the repercussions of crimes attributed to undocumented individuals. In Fiscal Year 2023, these costs are estimated to have surpassed an alarming $150 billion. While enforcement actions, including deportation flights, are necessary for maintaining the rule of law, they also demand significant resources.
Consequently, offering financial incentives for undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the U.S. could potentially alleviate some of this financial strain on taxpayers while reaffirming national sovereignty.
As President, I am committed to utilizing every available resource to address this issue, remove undocumented immigrants from our borders, and safeguard the American populace. Thus, I am announcing Project Homecoming, an initiative that will provide undocumented immigrants with a choice: depart the United States voluntarily with government support or remain and face the associated consequences.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), hereby proclaim and direct as follows:
Section 1: Free Return Home and CBP Home Application
(a) To facilitate the swift departure of undocumented immigrants from the United States, I direct the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, to establish streamlined processes for their exit, utilizing technological resources such as the “CBP Home” application.
(b) Any flights arranged for undocumented immigrants who choose to leave voluntarily will be funded by the Federal Government.
(c) Actions will be taken to enable the rapid departure of undocumented immigrants who lack valid travel documents or who wish to relocate to a country willing to accept them.
(d) A concierge service will be developed, allowing any undocumented immigrant to arrive at an airport, regardless of their travel documents, book a flight to another country, and claim the exit bonus outlined in Section 2 upon successful departure.
Section 2: Exit Bonus
To incentivize voluntary departure, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, alongside other relevant agencies, will provide financial incentives in the form of an “exit bonus” for each undocumented immigrant who chooses to leave the United States permanently.
Section 3: Penalties for Aliens Who Fail to Depart
(a) A nationwide communication campaign will be launched to inform undocumented immigrants about the availability of free travel to other countries, the exit bonus, and the potential repercussions of remaining in the U.S. illegally, which may include removal, prosecution, incarceration, fines, wage garnishments, and confiscation of assets.
(b) Within 60 days of this proclamation, the Secretary of Homeland Security will enhance enforcement operations by collaborating with state and local law enforcement, former federal officers, and other personnel to increase the removal force by no less than 20,000 officers, focusing on those who fail to depart voluntarily.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
