Credit: Shealah Craighead, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed a new plan to address the country’s immigration challenges, offering undocumented migrants money and airfare if they opt to voluntarily leave the United States.
In a pre-recorded interview with Fox Noticias, Trump reiterated his commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration, stating that his current focus is on deporting individuals involved in violent crimes.
However, for other undocumented individuals, he introduced a proposed “self-deportation program.”
“We’re going to give them a stipend. We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket,” Trump explained, adding that the administration would consider allowing some of these individuals to legally return to the U.S. in the future if they are deemed “good” candidates.
During the interview, host Rachel Campos-Duffy played a segment featuring a Mexican man who had been living in the U.S. illegally for over two decades and now has American-born children.
Trump responded by emphasising the need to reform the system while showing some level of support for immigrants who are willing to follow legal procedures.
Trump also acknowledged the labour demands in industries like agriculture and hospitality, expressing a desire to help employers find the workers they need.
He said allowing migrants to leave and return legally would bring relief to farmers and business owners alike.
“We’re making self-deportation more humane,” he said. “We want to help people leave on their own terms and then work with them to come back legally.”
While Trump laid out the general idea of the initiative, he did not provide a detailed plan on how individuals would be allowed back into the U.S. under legal status.
