- Reports say some migrant children are offered $3,000 to leave the United States voluntarily.
- A DHS official described eligibility for children aged 14 and older in government custody, while advocates report offers to younger children in court.
- Accepting may affect pending asylum or other protection claims; children should consult a qualified immigration lawyer before deciding.
The Trump administration is reportedly offering $3,000 to migrant children who agree to leave the United States. The offer is framed as voluntary departure. Some reported offers have reached children as young as five in immigration-court proceedings.
Attorneys with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor have sent some offers, according to reports. Immigration judges have also described leaving as an option during hearings. The accounts vary by setting.
A Department of Homeland Security official described a narrower eligibility group. Children in government custody may qualify if they are at least 14, have no gang affiliation and meet other criteria.
Attorneys and advocacy groups have separately described offers to younger children in court, including some five-year-olds. In some cases, children reportedly receive a deadline and are told to decide immediately. Some have no lawyer with them.
Reported eligibility depends on where the offer is made
The current reports describe a change from a program in 2025, when DHS reportedly offered $2,500 to unaccompanied minors aged 14 and older. The reported payment has risen, while accounts of who may receive it now diverge.
The age threshold in the official’s description is 14. Reports from legal representatives describe a broader practice in court, reaching children under that age. DHS did not publicly confirm every report involving children as young as five.
Those accounts describe different eligibility circumstances: a custody-based standard with additional conditions, and offers reported during court proceedings. Some children reportedly face immediate deadlines. They may be asked to respond before consulting counsel.
Leaving can change a child’s pending protection case
Accepting the offer may require a child to abandon a pending asylum claim or another request for humanitarian relief. It can also affect future immigration eligibility. The payment itself does not guarantee that the child could later enter the United States.
The consequences depend on the child’s case, the stage of the proceedings, any prior departure and applicable statutory bars. A child could also lose or materially alter the ability to pursue special immigrant juvenile status, T or U status, or other protection.
A lawyer or qualified legal-services provider can assess those effects before a child agrees. The result may differ from one case to another.
Advocates say a rushed decision can pressure children
Shayna Aber, head of the Acacia Center for Justice, said asking children to decide immediately about giving up asylum or other relief in exchange for money creates pressure.
Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, said legal organizations had received emails from ICE attorneys offering an incentive for leaving. Some children are reportedly given little time to consider the offer.
DHS cites family reunification as a separate priority
DHS has emphasized reunifying unaccompanied children with family members. The department said Secretary Markwayne Mullin is leading efforts to protect children from exploitation.
Customs and Border Protection has also promoted a separate departure option through its CBP Home app. Eligible people who leave and confirm arrival abroad may receive financial assistance and government-arranged travel.
The legal effects turn on each child’s case and departure history. This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
