The Trump administration has enlisted the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to help implement its controversial plan for immigrants to “self-deport.”
The program, offering financial incentives to undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the United States, has sparked both support and criticism, with the involvement of a globally respected U.N. body adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Involving IOM, an organisation that has assisted millions in returning to their homelands in a safe and dignified manner, has raised questions about the ethics and effectiveness of the administration’s strategy.
The program offers a $1,000 stipend to any immigrant without a criminal record who agrees to depart voluntarily, but immigration advocates have voiced concerns that migrants are being coerced into making a decision that may not be in their best interest.
Trump Administration’s Push for Self-Deportation
The initiative, launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.
According to reports, nearly 1,000 individuals have already shown interest in the voluntary departure scheme. However, some are wary of the program’s implications, with experts suggesting that many immigrants may feel pressured to leave due to the threat of harsher enforcement actions, including hefty fines and potential prison time.
IOM’s role in the scheme is to ensure that the process is conducted with care and dignity. The agency, which has facilitated the return of over 1.5 million migrants globally, is not facilitating deportations but rather offering “assisted voluntary returns.”
This distinction has been emphasised by IOM officials, who stress that their goal is to provide migrants with the necessary resources and guidance to make informed decisions about returning to their countries of origin.
Legal Concerns and Migration Lawyers’ Warnings
While the program’s supporters tout it as a humanitarian effort, critics argue that the government’s strategy could lead to unintended consequences. Immigration lawyers have raised significant concerns about the long-term impact on migrants’ legal options, particularly regarding their ability to return to the U.S. in the future.
According to experts, migrants who accept the voluntary departure offer may find themselves barred from re-entering the country for up to 10 years if they have been in the U.S. illegally for over a year.
Moreover, there is concern that migrants may be unaware of the legal risks involved in leaving voluntarily, particularly if their immigration case is still pending.
Legal experts have urged individuals to seek professional advice before making any decisions, warning that the program could undermine the ability of some immigrants to seek asylum or other paths to permanent residency.
