The campaign strategy associated with former President Donald Trump is advocating for undocumented immigrants to depart the U.S. voluntarily, a method described as a more effective and less politically fraught approach to addressing the current border situation compared to large-scale enforcement actions.
This approach contrasts with the surge of migrant arrivals during the Biden administration, which the notes characterize as "millions of 'asylum seekers'" and others who crossed the border while agents were occupied with processing. The campaign suggests that reversing this influx is a significant undertaking, with voluntary departures being a crucial component.
According to Homeland Security data cited in the notes, approximately 73% of the over 3 million individuals who reportedly left the country during the first year of Trump's second term self-deported. This is attributed partly to the realization that permanent settlement may not be feasible and partly to new financial incentives.
The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly issued over 100,000 fines, totaling billions of dollars, to individuals who have not complied with final removal orders. These fines amount to $998 per day of overstay. In contrast, individuals who voluntarily depart and are not involved in criminal activity face no fines or asset confiscation and remain eligible for legal re-entry, with the government reportedly offering subsidized flights.
Team Trump is reportedly encouraging potential self-deportees to use the CBP Home app to arrange their departure, a repurposing of the Biden-era CBP One app. The stated objective is to undo the perceived damage from the current administration's border policies and prevent recurrence.
The notes argue that direct confrontations, such as federal agents engaging with protesters, carry significant political risks and have not proven effective in achieving desired outcomes. The political fallout from such confrontations, even if considered justified, could negatively impact support for immigration enforcement agencies.
Instead, the strategy emphasizes the use of administrative measures to encourage voluntary departures. This quieter approach is presented as not only strategically sound but also highly effective. The notes also indicate that despite a potential pullback from more confrontational tactics by ICE, overall arrest numbers have reportedly increased.
Other administrative actions cited include the reversal of a Biden-era rule that previously allowed many forms of welfare assistance to be disregarded when determining if a migrant would become a "public charge," potentially impacting their eligibility for further legalization. Additionally, Trump's stance on not extending Temporary Protected Status to various migrant groups, in cases where the original justifications for such status may have long passed, is highlighted as another indicator that circumventing immigration laws may not be as simple as proponents of open borders suggest.