US sends 68 migrants back to Honduras and Colombia in voluntary deportation

Published on 20/05/2025 - 8:53 GMT+2

A group of 68 immigrants from Honduras and Colombia returned to their countries of root connected Monday from Texas arsenic portion of a caller inaugural by nan Trump administration.

The programme promotes nan departure of group successful an irregular migratory business successful what nan Trump management is calling "voluntary deportations."

In early May, nan US authorities offered a costs of $1,000 (€889) to undocumented migrants who made nan prime to time off nan state voluntarily.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed connected Monday that nan first departure formation marks nan opening of nan alleged "Project Homecoming" plan.

According to Noem, nan action is not portion of nan accustomed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, but a voluntary and assisted process.

In a station connected his X account, Noem said, "If you are successful this state illegally, deport yourself NOW and sphere your opportunity to perchance return nan ineligible and correct way."

"If you don't, you will beryllium taxable to fines, arrest, deportation and ne'er beryllium allowed to return," she added.

Participants successful nan programme utilized a CBP Home exertion to formalise their departure and received nan money promised to support their return.

Upon presence successful some Honduras and Colombia, migrants were met pinch section assistance.

The Hondurans were besides included successful nan 'Hermano, Hermana, Vuelve a Casa' programme, which provides a $100 voucher (€89) for adults, including nutrient assistance and occupation orientation.

Colombian returnees were assisted by nan Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF) and nan Department for Social Prosperity (DPS) — agencies successful complaint of facilitating societal and economical reintegration.

The programme is portion of nan caller migration policies promoted by Donald Trump since nan commencement of his 2nd word successful agency successful January, pinch nan purpose of reducing irregular migration successful nan country.

His connection to let migrants to depart voluntarily has been matched pinch highly-publicised detentions successful nan US and flying a mates 100 of Venezuelan migrants to a maximum information situation successful El Salvador.