The Trump administration’s achievements on the southern border during his first 100 days were nothing short of historic. Nationwide border encounters are down 95 percent, attempted crossings of Panama’s infamous Darien Gap are down 99.99 percent, and our brave law enforcement officers have seized 262,000 pounds of fentanyl and other illicit drugs at the border. And this is just the beginning.
President Trump promised to not only put Americans’ safety first but cut back on the federal government’s wasteful spending. Rather than handing illegal aliens debit cards preloaded with thousands of taxpayer dollars and rolling out the red carpet for them like the Biden administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing illegal aliens transportation to their home countries, as well as translation services if they do not speak English. DHS is also offering a financial incentive for aliens to self-deport: a stipend of $1,000 to help them settle in their home countries once their return has been confirmed by CBP Home.
This may sound like a large amount of money to spend just to get illegal aliens to voluntarily leave our country, but it is a fraction of what the Biden administration gave illegal aliens and far cheaper than the current cost of the average deportation process. Moreover, compared to the last four years of illegal aliens fraudulently using American welfare programs, the new $1,000 initiative saves the American taxpayers’ money and reduces fraud.
But the real question isn’t whether we spend money on deportations – it’s how much we spend.
As it stands right now, the average cost of the process for just one enforcement-based deportation – including arrest, detainment, processing, and removal – is north of $17,100. By contrast, the average cost of self-deportation – such as airfare and other travel accommodations – is only about $3,500. Factor in the $1,000 stipend for a total of $4,500, and the Trump administration saves American taxpayers 70 percent on the dollar for each self-deported alien.
As White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller pointed out, this would result in savings of up to $1 million for every illegal alien household that is deported.
Any illegal alien who elects to self-deport will be given the opportunity to leave in an orderly fashion on his or her own terms. There will be no restraints, and they will travel back just like any other traveler who visited our country. Their flight will be arranged and paid for by the government, and they will be assisted with any potential language barriers. Illegal aliens no longer have an excuse to stay.
Right now, American taxpayers spend $182 billion per year on welfare services for illegal aliens in the United States and their families. With more aliens out of our country, voluntarily or otherwise, welfare fraud and abuse will plummet. This, along with the efforts by DOGE to streamline and cut out-of-control government spending, is an essential step to finally tackle the federal government’s $36 trillion debt.
President Trump is embracing bold and forward-thinking strategies to end the Biden administration’s lawlessness at our southern border, and it’s working. With each illegal alien that decides to leave on their own, the taxpayer saves thousands. We are a country of laws, and welcome people into our country, as long as they come here legally. We can no longer allow illegal aliens to thumb their noses at our laws and consume resources intended for American citizens. By securing the border, President Trump is halting the flow of fentanyl and stopping violent gang members and criminals from entering our country. For the first time in a long time, we have a president who is truly putting America First.
Cynthia Lummis represents Wyoming in the U.S. Senate.
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