The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sparked a social media firestorm after unveiling an "exit bonus" of $2,600 for illegal immigrants, including those from India, who agree to leave the country voluntarily. To promote the initiative — dubbed "Project Homecoming" — the department released a series of visuals on X featuring the Taj Mahal alongside iconic landmarks from Colombia and China, inviting migrants to "go home with a fresh start."
The scheme, which was ramped up following the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, aims to incentivise self-deportation through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app. Under the current offer, migrants are provided with a free flight and the cash windfall, allowing them to travel as "regular passengers" rather than facing the "fear" of arrest, detention, or physical restraints.
From a purely budgetary perspective, the DHS argues the numbers make sense. While the cost of a forced deportation sits at a staggering $18,245 per person, the "Project Homecoming" package costs taxpayers approximately $5,100— representing a saving of over $13,000 per departure. Since its inception in January 2025, the department claims that more than 2.2 million people have taken up the offer, which originally launched with a $1,000 incentive before peaking at $3,000 during a December "pre-New Year" surge.
However, the campaign has been met with a wave of sarcasm and resentment from the American public. Critics have flooded the comments sections with memes, with many legal citizens asking why they aren't eligible for similar financial handouts. "Can US citizens get $2,600 instead?" asked one user, while others questioned the optics of using "internet troll" tactics to run federal agencies. Despite the backlash over the use of public funds, the DHS remains firm that the programme is a safe and orderly alternative to the more confrontational methods of immigration enforcement.
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