Trump’s self-deportation push sees over 5,000 leave as enforcement tightens

By isabelle // 2025-04-11

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The Trump administration's enforcement policies are already driving over 5,000 illegal immigrants to self-deport via the CBP One app.
Noncompliance carries harsh penalties, including $998 daily fines and permanent bans from reentry.
Self-deportation provides a humane exit while deterring future illegal immigration through strict enforcement.
Employers hiring undocumented workers face severe financial penalties under the new policy.
The approach reverses Biden-era policies, signaling a return to strict immigration control and the rule of law.

The Trump administration’s steadfast commitment to immigration enforcement is yielding tangible results, with more than 5,000 illegal immigrants voluntarily departing the U.S. through the innovative "CBP One" app. A DHS spokesperson explained, “Formal termination notices have been issued, and affected aliens are urged to voluntarily self-deport using the CBP Home App. Those who refuse will be found, removed, and permanently barred from reentry.” This self-deportation initiative, a cornerstone of the administration’s broader immigration strategy, demonstrates that firm but fair enforcement of existing laws serves as a powerful deterrent — saving taxpayer resources while restoring the rule of law. By combining stringent penalties for noncompliance with clear messaging — "self-deport or face forcible removal"—the policy is proving that chaos at the border can indeed be reversed.

Enforcing laws works as a deterrent

For years, critics claimed strict immigration enforcement was impractical or even cruel. Yet the data tells a different story. Since the self-deportation program’s rollout, thousands have opted to leave on their own terms rather than risk arrest, detention, and permanent inadmissibility. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that the penalties for ignoring deportation orders are considerable. “This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order,” she noted. The financial disincentive is just one piece of a broader enforcement framework. Employers hiring undocumented workers now also face crippling fines.

A humane yet firm alternative

Contrary to left-wing alarmism, the Trump administration’s approach provides a pathway for illegal immigrants to avoid the trauma of abrupt deportation. By encouraging voluntary departures — with the option to reapply legally — the policy respects individual agency while upholding sovereignty. The contrast with previous administrations is significant. Under Obama and Biden, lax enforcement and "catch-and-release" policies incentivized illegal crossings. A Trump DHS spokesperson noted, “The Biden Administration abused the parole authority to allow millions of illegal aliens into the US which further fueled the worst border crisis in US history.” Now, with deportations averaging 1,800 per day — on track to surpass 600,000 annually — the message is clear: America’s laws will no longer be mocked. Critics argue the policy is overly punitive, but supporters counter that it merely enforces laws that have long been ignored.

Restoring the rule of law

The self-deportation initiative is part of a larger effort to dismantle the incentives driving illegal immigration. By streamlining deportation proceedings and closing loopholes, the administration has made it exponentially harder to game the system. The policy’s success hinges on consistency. While past administrations vacillated between enforcement and amnesty, Trump’s unwavering stance has forced a reckoning. With an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., scaling up the program remains a priority. Yet the early results are promising. In addition to voluntary departures, ICE removals have surged, with prioritization of criminal aliens and recent border-crossers.

A blueprint for the future

The self-deportation model offers a sustainable alternative to the cyclical battles over mass deportations versus blanket amnesty. By pairing smart enforcement with clear consequences, the Trump administration is proving that attrition through deterrence works. For now, the message to those living illegally in the U.S. is unambiguous: comply or face the consequences. And for the first time in decades, they’re listening. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com FoxNews.com NYPost.com