DHS Flies Out First Round of Self-Deporting Illegal Aliens from Texas [WATCH]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) completed the first charter flight under President Donald Trump’s Project Homecoming initiative, transporting 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to return to their home countries of Honduras and Colombia.

Trump administration to save 70% on deportation flights by paying illegal aliens to self-deport on commercial. pic.twitter.com/D4kuCL1xek

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) May 5, 2025

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The charter flight departed from Texas earlier this week and was described by DHS as a voluntary operation—not an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement action.

The effort is part of the Trump administration’s program to incentivize self-deportation by offering $1,000 to illegal immigrants who choose to leave the United States on their own.

“This was a voluntary charter flight, not an ICE enforcement operation,” DHS confirmed in a public statement.

“All participants were offered the same benefits as any illegal alien who self-deports using the CBP Home App. They received travel assistance, a $1,000 stipend, and preserved the possibility they could one day return to the United States legally.”

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Of the 64 migrants on the flight, 38 were returned to Honduras, while 26 were sent back to Colombia.

Both countries, according to DHS, collaborated with U.S. officials and provided services and support to help resettle the returning individuals.

Today, DHS conducted the first Project Homecoming charter flight from Houston, TX, to Honduras and Colombia, bringing 64 participants who opted to self-deport back to their home countries.

All participants were offered the same benefits as any illegal alien who self-deports… pic.twitter.com/r0uAFejUVh

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 19, 2025

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that Project Homecoming provides a legal off-ramp for individuals who entered the United States unlawfully.

“Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home countries of Honduras and Colombia,” said Secretary Noem.

“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.”

Noem also urged those in the country illegally to consider voluntary departure now to avoid harsher consequences in the future.

“If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way,” she said.

Today, @DHSgov conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia. If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial… pic.twitter.com/xVv5JtrbKs

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 19, 2025

The initiative, which was rolled out as part of the broader immigration enforcement strategy under President Trump’s second term, aims to streamline the deportation process by encouraging non-citizens to leave voluntarily.

The administration argues that offering financial assistance for voluntary return reduces strain on federal resources and immigration detention facilities.

When announcing the program earlier this year, President Trump explained the reasoning behind the $1,000 stipend, saying, “We’re going to pay each one a certain amount of money, and we’re going to get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from.”

“We’re going to work with them so that maybe someday, with a little work, they can come back in if they’re good people, if they’re the kind of people that we want in our [country],” the president added.

“It will give them a path to coming back into the country.”

The CBP Home App, which was developed as part of Project Homecoming, allows illegal migrants to register for self-deportation, apply for financial support, and receive guidance on travel and coordination with foreign consulates.

DHS officials confirmed that additional flights are expected in the coming weeks as more individuals choose to depart voluntarily under the terms of the new program.

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