United States President Donald Trump has unveiled a new incentive programme aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, offering cash payments and government-funded travel to those who comply.
Under the plan, individuals living illegally in the U.S. will receive up to Sh336,000 if they choose to self-deport.
The initiative was announced on Wednesday, January 21, by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to DHS, undocumented immigrants who enrol through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app will qualify for the payment.
In addition to the cash incentive, participants will be provided with a government-funded flight back to their country of origin.
“Since January 2025, 2.2 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. To celebrate one year of this administration, the U.S. taxpayer is generously increasing the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally – offering a $2,600 exit bonus,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Noem said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to significantly reduce the number of undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
The policy is expected to affect thousands of foreign nationals, including Kenyans residing unlawfully in the U.S., who may opt for voluntary departure or face forced deportation.
According to DHS data, approximately 2.2 million undocumented immigrants have already chosen to self-deport, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme to arrange their exit.
Noem urged undocumented immigrants to take advantage of the offer, warning that those who fail to comply risk arrest and permanent removal, adding that individuals deported forcibly may be barred from returning to the U.S. in the future.
The financial motivation behind the policy stems from the fact that the U.S. government spends about Sh2.3 million on a single enforced deportation, compared to approximately KSh659,328 for a voluntary departure, including the stipend and travel costs.
According to Noem, during President Trump’s first year in office, more than 675,000 undocumented immigrants were deported, stressing that enforcement efforts remain ongoing and unavoidable.
The administration maintains that the crackdown prioritises undocumented immigrants with criminal records or those considered national security threats.
The latest development follows a recent report naming at least 15 Kenyans among individuals labelled as the “worst of the worst” undocumented immigrants in the U.S., accused of offences ranging from violent crimes and fraud to money laundering, domestic violence, robbery, kidnapping, and violations of court orders.