Nearly a million unauthorized migrants have chosen to leave the country voluntarily under President Trump’s renewed enforcement plan.

According to the New York Post report, nearly one million unauthorized migrants have self-deported since Trump took office again, prompting shifts in the labor market.

President Trump and his team have rolled out a two-track strategy combining targeted arrests with incentives for voluntary departures. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates there are roughly 15.4 million unauthorized migrants in the United States, a 50% rise over the previous four years under President Biden. Critics note that sheer numbers make mass deportation impossible, which is why the self-deportation track has drawn so much attention.

How the Voluntary Departure Program Works

On Inauguration Day, Trump directed DHS to require all aliens, legal and unauthorized, to register with federal authorities, with prosecution looming for noncompliance. By late February, Secretary Kristi Noem had put that registration mandate into effect, marking the official start of the self-deportation initiative. It set a clear signal that complacency would no longer be tolerated.

The department then launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign in Spanish, English and other languages, warning migrants not to enter illegally and offering an alternative: leave now and maintain the chance to return lawfully. Those ads ran on social media, radio and billboards along key transit routes. Needless to say, subtlety tends to get lost in policy rollouts, but the message came through loud and clear.

Noem also rebranded the controversial CBP One app used by the prior administration as “CBP Home,” enabling migrants to notify the U.S. government of their intent to depart. The app now offers up to $1,000 in financial assistance for those who choose to self-deport. That cash-in-hand approach comes at a fraction of the estimated $17,100 average cost per person for physical deportation, saving taxpayers billions.

Economic Impact on American Workers

One key measure of the program’s success has been its effect on employment figures. A financial analyst cited by the Wall Street Journal calculated a decline of 773,000 foreign-born workers in the first four months of Trump’s second term. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that a million foreign-born workers have exited the workforce since March, framing it as a tightening labor market.

With fewer workers competing for jobs, U.S. businesses have responded by raising wages to attract employees. Average hourly earnings rose by 0.4% in May to $36.24, outpacing inflation and providing a real boost to household incomes. That uptick suggests employers are feeling the pinch and passing it on to workers.

In practical terms, American employees are enjoying stronger bargaining power, with some entry-level positions now offering signing bonuses and improved benefits. Critics of unfettered immigration have long argued that cutting unauthorized labor supply uplifts wages for native and lawful residents alike. It appears the data may now back their claims.

Historical Precedents for Self-Deportation Efforts

Voluntary departures are not without precedent in U.S. history. When President Dwight Eisenhower launched “Operation Wetback” in 1954, roughly ten migrants left for every one who was arrested and deported. That program, though controversial, underscored the power of combined enforcement and messaging.

After the 9/11 attacks, a post-9/11 registration requirement for noncitizens also triggered waves of self-deportation, as many feared further scrutiny or legal action. In both cases, migrants got the message that the government was serious about enforcing existing laws. History apparently rhymes when it comes to policy effectiveness.

Today’s administration has inherited those lessons and aims to apply them at scale, leveraging modern technology and media. With the rebranded CBP Home app and targeted media buys, the government hopes to replicate past successes while avoiding previous pitfalls.

Policy Implications for Immigration Enforcement

Enforcing registration and offering financial incentives presents a cost-effective model for reducing unauthorized migration. At $1,000 per self-deporter, the program is a bargain compared to traditional deportations that average over $17,000 each. Taxpayers emerge as winners either way, with less strain on public services and infrastructure.

The voluntary departure plan also restores credibility to U.S. immigration policy, countering the progressive agenda of de facto open borders. By making the consequences of unlawfulness tangible, the administration sends a clear message to both migrants and employers that illegal work arrangements will no longer be tolerated. Who knew carrots could sometimes be sharper than sticks?

As President Trump, border czar Tom Homan, and Secretary Noem continue to refine the strategy, the voluntary exit program could serve as a blueprint for future administrations. If sustained, the policy may finally deliver on long-promised border security goals without resorting to mass detentions. The self-deportation experiment proves that enforcement, when paired with rational incentives, can yield surprising results.