The United States has initiated a self-deportation flight program, with the first flight carrying migrants back to Honduras. As part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new initiative, each migrant received a $1,000 stipend. The flight transported 38 Hondurans, landing at Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport on Monday afternoon. These individuals had previously applied through a mobile app provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio Garcia noted that the group included mothers with children, each receiving $1,000. Among the children, four were born in the United States and one in Mexico. These children reportedly left the U.S. with their Honduran relatives to prevent family separation. Honduran Migration Director Wilson Paz Reyes stated that the U.S. government agreed with the families on their return to avoid family disintegration, according to CNN.

One of the deportees, Wilson Saenz, recounted that after requesting removal from the United States, authorities flew him to a hotel in Houston, Texas. He was then taken to an airport, provided with food, and boarded on a flight home. Another individual, Kevin Posadas, mentioned that after applying for self-deportation, officials messaged migrants, instructing them to present themselves. Depending on their location, they were transferred to a location closer to Honduras.

The DHS clarified in a press release that the self-deportation flight was a voluntary charter and not an ICE enforcement operation. Participants received the same benefits as any illegal alien self-deporting through the CBP Home App, as reported by The Hill.

The initiative aims to address illegal immigration by providing travel assistance, a $1,000 stipend, and assurance of the possibility of future legal return to the United States. This flight follows an announcement earlier this month by the Trump administration to offer travel assistance and stipends for migrants registering for self-deportation through the CBP Home App. Known as "Project Homecoming," this program is part of President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration and also involves the detention of hundreds of migrants in a Salvarodan mega-prison.

In March, the government announced that individuals in the U.S. illegally could use the CBP Home App to voluntarily depart to their home nations, according to MSN.