WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security conducted its first voluntary charter flight for 64 undocumented immigrants “who opted to self-deport back to their home countries,” according to a press release.
The flight departed from Houston and dropped off 38 migrants in Honduras and 26 migrants in Colombia, the department said. All migrants were given a $1,000 stipend.
The move comes after the Trump administration in March rolled out the CBP Home app, which allows migrants staying unlawfully in the United States to report their intention to self deport. The administration repurposed the former Biden administration’s CBP One app, which allowed migrants to schedule asylum hearings.
“Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a statement.
“If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home. If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return,” she added.
The press release noted that the migrants who landed in Honduras also received assistance from the government there, including food vouchers.
Contributing: Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DHS conducts first charter flight for self-deporting immigrants
