On Monday, May 19th, the United States used a charter plane to repatriate 64 immigrants from Honduras and Colombia, marking the first government-funded flight under the “voluntary return” program of the Trump administration.
In the northern city of San Pedro Sula in Honduras, 38 Hondurans, including 19 children, disembarked from the plane. They carried $1,000 debit cards provided by the U.S. government and were given the opportunity to apply for legal entry into the United States someday.
President Trump has promised to significantly increase the number of deportations of immigrants. Experts believe that the proposal of “self-deportation” will only attract a small number of immigrants who are already considering returning to their home countries, but is unlikely to stimulate a large demand.
Kevin Antonio Posadas, a Honduran immigrant who has been living in Houston, Texas for three years, stated that he had been contemplating returning to his homeland when the Trump administration announced the “voluntary return” program.
He mentioned that he was able to get approval within three days by submitting an application through the “CBP Home” app. The plane took off earlier on Monday from Houston, saving him the money for a return ticket.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released a statement on Monday regarding the charter plane, saying, “If you are in the country illegally, please use the ‘CBP Home App’ to control your departure process and receive financial support to return home. Otherwise, you will be fined, arrested, deported, and permanently banned from returning.”
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there were 26 immigrants on the plane who voluntarily returned to Colombia.
Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio García stated that the Honduran government will provide some support for the returning immigrants, including $100 in cash and a $200 spending limit at a government-run store selling basic necessities.
García mentioned that among the voluntarily repatriated immigrants who arrived on Monday, four were children born in the United States.
García met with these arriving immigrants at the airport, and they told him that due to the lack of documents required for legal immigration or residency, life in the United States had become increasingly difficult and hostile, making it fearful for them to work.
(Reference: Associated Press)