In a surprising departure from his traditionally hardline stance on immigration, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a new self-deportation program that would offer airfare and financial stipends to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the country.
Speaking in a pre-recorded interview with Fox Noticias that aired Tuesday, Trump said the initiative would allow immigrants who are in the United States illegally to return to their countries of origin “comfortably,” and potentially re-enter the U.S. legally if they meet certain criteria.
“We’re going to give them a stipend. We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket,” Trump said. “And then we’re going to work with them — if they’re good — to get them back in as quickly as we can.”
While full details regarding eligibility, logistics, and timing remain unclear, Trump emphasized that his administration is currently prioritizing the removal of violent offenders, stating, “We’re focused right now on getting murderers out of the country.”
The proposal echoes similar “self-deportation” concepts introduced in past U.S. immigration debates, but Trump’s suggestion of pairing it with financial aid and future legal readmission opportunities represents a notable shift in tone.
During the interview, Trump responded to a video of a Mexican man who had entered the U.S. illegally more than 20 years ago and has children who are American citizens. The man expressed support for Trump’s policies, despite being unable to vote.
“I look at this man. I say, this is a guy that we want to keep,” Trump said. “I’ll probably take heat for saying it.”
Trump added that he wants to ensure American businesses, particularly in the agriculture and hospitality sectors, can access the labor they need. While he reiterated his goal for undocumented workers to exit and re-enter legally, he did not offer a detailed framework for facilitating that process.
“We’re doing a self-deportation and we’re going to make it comfortable for people,” Trump said. “And we’re going to work with those people to come back into our country legally.”
The remarks come as Trump continues to campaign for expanded immigration enforcement and a second-term vision that mixes strong border control with a renewed emphasis on legal entry pathways — though concrete policy guidelines remain pending.