New Mexico immigrant advocates denounce self-deportation offer

Key Takeaways

• DHS offers $1,000 and travel aid to migrants who self-deport using the CBP Home app.
• Advocacy groups in New Mexico criticize the program for pressuring migrants to waive legal rights.
• Experts warn self-deportation may block future legal entry and raises privacy concerns over personal data collection.

The Department of Homeland Security has started a new program under the Trump administration that gives $1,000 and travel help to migrants who choose to “self-deport” from the United States 🇺🇸. This means the government is now offering money to people if they agree to leave the country on their own instead of waiting for immigration courts or legal deportation procedures.

Many immigrant advocacy groups, especially those in New Mexico 🇺🇸 and other border regions, strongly disagree with this policy. They say it is harsh and puts pressure on people who may not fully understand what they are giving up. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this policy is creating a lot of debate about whether it is fair, legal, or even helpful for migrants, their families, and the communities they are leaving behind.

Understanding the New Self-Deportation Offer

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this new initiative recently. If a migrant agrees to self-deport, they can apply for a payment of $1,000 after they have returned to their home country. The return must be confirmed using the CBP Home app, which is a tool the government uses for tracking departures and sharing information digitally.

According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, this program is meant to save money for taxpayers. Traditional deportation can take a long time and uses a lot of resources, including court costs, lawyers, and government staff. By offering money to people who leave on their own, the government hopes to reduce these costs.

However, while the amount may seem tempting—especially to people without much money—many advocates say the money is not enough to cover the real costs and risks of leaving.

Concerns From Advocates in New Mexico

Advocacy organizations in New Mexico 🇺🇸 have been outspoken in their criticism. They argue that the self-deportation program is unfair, confusing, and puts migrants in a tough situation. Here’s a breakdown of their biggest worries:

• Coercion and Pressure: Leaders like Dyllan Carmona have said the policy is basically a kind of “bribery.” The money pushes people to give up their legal rights, including the right to a fair hearing or legal advice. Many fear that desperate people may take the offer quickly without fully understanding what they are losing.

• Legal Dangers: Melissa Lopez, who runs an organization called Estrella Del Paso, urges migrants not to accept the offer without talking to a lawyer. She explains that choosing self-deportation can keep people from coming back to the United States 🇺🇸 legally in the future. Decisions made in a moment of panic or need can shut doors to visas, work permits, or reuniting with family later on.

• Money Is Not Enough: Critics argue that $1,000 might seem helpful at first but barely covers the costs of starting over in another country. This is especially true for people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years and have built a life, found work, or started families here. Leaving means losing jobs, friends, schooling for children, and sometimes even safety.

• Privacy and Data Worries: Immigration lawyers are also warning people about the risks around sharing their personal information. By using the app and following the steps for self-deportation, migrants give the government new data about their identity, travel history, and home country. Some fear this information could be used against them later on, or shared with other authorities.

• Community Ties and Emotional Harm: Vanessa Cárdenas from America’s Voice points out that these policies increase fear and confusion. Even people with legal immigration status start to worry their own rights could change suddenly. Cárdenas calls the administration’s approach “chaos and cruelty,” saying that it breaks families apart and makes immigrants feel unsafe.

Looking at Self-Deportation Policies in the Past

This is not the first time that self-deportation—or policies meant to make people leave the country by themselves—has been tried in the United States 🇺🇸. In several states, including Alabama, similar ideas have come up before. These strategies usually aim to make everyday life so difficult for unauthorized immigrants (like by taking away public services or work opportunities) that people choose to return to their original countries. Past attempts, however, have almost always led to trouble for both the people who leave and the communities around them.

Advocates say such policies do not look at each person’s real-life needs. They often ignore important factors like sick family members, children who rely on U.S. schools, or people fleeing danger in their home countries. Instead, the approach pushes everyone to make the same hard choice, no matter what their personal story may be.

Legal Rights and Due Process at Risk

One of the biggest complaints about the self-deportation incentive is how it encourages migrants to give up their “due process” rights. In the U.S. legal system, people usually have the right to a fair hearing and to speak to a lawyer, even if they are not citizens. These protections are important because they allow people to explain their situation, apply for asylum, or seek other forms of help.

By accepting a payment to self-deport, migrants may accidentally sign away these rights. Experts say it is critical for anyone thinking about taking the offer to first get professional legal advice. The American Bar Association and other groups regularly warn people never to make big decisions under pressure—especially those that can affect immigration status for years or even a lifetime.

Data Collection, Technology, and Trust

Another area of concern involves the technology used in the self-deportation process. Migrants must use the CBP Home app to confirm they have returned home. But privacy advocates worry this could collect sensitive personal data (like location, contact numbers, and travel details) without clear rules on how the information will be used. The Department of Homeland Security has not clearly explained who can see this data, how long it will be kept, or what protections are in place.

Immigrant communities, especially in states bordering Mexico 🇲🇽 like New Mexico 🇺🇸, have long felt mistrust toward official government tracking systems. If they believe their data can be shared with other agencies or used to block future benefits, many may avoid the app entirely or become more fearful of seeking help when needed. This mistrust makes it harder for public health, safety, and social service groups to connect with those who need support the most.

Emotional and Social Effects: Families and Community Suffering

No matter how it is done, deportation often causes lasting harm—not just to the person leaving, but to family, friends, and communities left behind. When someone self-deports, they might not have time to say goodbye or make plans for their children and loved ones. The $1,000 incentive does little to make up for the heartbreak or the struggle of rebuilding a life in a new country.

Social scientists note that when families are broken by forced or pressured removal, children often suffer. This can show up as stress at school, mental health problems, or loss of stable housing. These effects can last for many years and can impact everyone in a community, not just immigrants.

Advocates’ Main Points—Summary Table

To bring all these arguments together, here is a table showing the major concerns from advocates in New Mexico 🇺🇸 and beyond:

Lessons from State-Level Self-Deportation Proposals

States like Alabama tried their own strict “self-deportation” laws in the past. These made it hard for undocumented people to rent apartments, get work, or send kids to school. The outcomes were widely seen as negative—not just for migrants, but also for local businesses, schools, and healthcare services. Communities faced losing both workers and customers, leading to lost jobs and local business closures.

As explained by multiple reports, the costs of forced self-removal can ripple out in unexpected ways—lower tax income, a decline in school attendance, and problems with local economies. Instead of solving problems, these policies can leave holes in the workforce and damage community trust.

New Mexico’s Unique Perspective

New Mexico 🇺🇸 sits right by the Mexico 🇲🇽 border, so its residents know these impacts firsthand. Many families there include both U.S. citizens and people with mixed immigration status. When someone self-deports or is forced to leave, it can separate families and disrupt communities. This makes state and local officials, as well as community groups, especially worried about the Department of Homeland Security’s approach. Some say the new policy brings back old problems they have been working hard to fix.

What Should Migrants Do? Steps and Guidance

Legal experts and community leaders in New Mexico 🇺🇸 advise all migrants: Do not rush into this decision. Here’s what people are being told:

• Always speak with an immigration lawyer before you agree to self-deport. A lawyer can explain the possible long-term effects on your case and your rights to return legally.
• Get information from trustworthy sources, like the official DHS website. Avoid rumors or advice from unofficial places, which might not be accurate.
• Consider the impact on your family and ask what help you may have in your home country before agreeing to leave.
• Remember that $1,000 may sound helpful but usually disappears quickly once you start a new life somewhere else.
• Be careful with your personal data and check who can see the information you share when using government apps.

Immigrant Advocates Call for Better Solutions

Across New Mexico 🇺🇸 and the wider United States 🇺🇸, many are calling for more fair and humane ways to fix immigration problems. They argue that real reform must keep families together, provide clear legal paths for those who qualify, and protect the privacy of everyone involved. Most agree that paying people to go away, without looking at their situation, is not a solution.

Instead, community groups want lawmakers and the Department of Homeland Security to use policies that respect both the law and the dignity of people who come to the United States 🇺🇸 searching for safety or a better life.

Conclusion: What Comes Next?

The self-deportation offer started by the Trump administration has sparked a big debate. While framed by leaders as a money-saving idea for taxpayers, many say it is out of step with American values and does not address the bigger problems facing the immigration system. For New Mexico 🇺🇸, where families and communities are closely tied to both the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽, the results of such a policy could be especially painful.

The future of this self-deportation policy may depend on how communities respond, whether legal challenges go forward, and if the Department of Homeland Security listens to the voices of people directly affected. For now, local experts say it is more important than ever for migrants to know their rights, seek good advice, and protect themselves and their families from the unintended harm of rushed decisions.

For further up-to-date and official guidance, individuals should review the latest information from the Department of Homeland Security and consult with trusted local legal organizations.

Learn Today

Self-Deportation → A process where migrants voluntarily leave the United States, often incentivized by government offers, instead of undergoing formal removal.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. government agency responsible for overseeing immigration policies, border security, and public safety.
CBP Home App → A digital application used by Customs and Border Protection to confirm migrants’ departures and collect personal travel data.
Due Process → A legal principle ensuring individuals have the right to fair legal procedures and hearings before being deprived of rights or property.
Advocacy Groups → Organizations that work publicly to support and protect the rights and interests of immigrants and other vulnerable populations.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Department of Homeland Security’s new self-deportation program pays migrants $1,000 to leave voluntarily using the CBP Home app. While officials claim it saves resources, critics warn it pressures people to forfeit important legal rights and disrupts families, sparking heated debate in New Mexico and nationwide about immigration fairness.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• Self-Sponsorship for H-1B position now possible under new 2025 rules
• US Slashes Newark Liberty International Airport Flights Now
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to get $1.1 billion new terminal
• Newark airport faces major delays after air traffic control outage
• Free Trade Agreement marks new era for United Kingdom and India ties