Damned if they do, Damned if they don't: The U.S. Self-Deportation Strategy

As part of an executive order to revoke several Biden administration protections and immigration processes, Donald Trump has issued an order to modify the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (‘CBP’) free mobile app. What was once a platform to apply-for, and schedule asylum interviews is now a tool for self-deportation.

The U.S. Border Control App now enables users to notify the U.S. Government of their intent to depart the country

The latest directive, which comes as the Trump administration seeks to ramp up deportations to 3000 a day, encourages young people to “self-deport”. The campaign is supported by a $200 million international ad campaign pledging government-funded travel and a one-time $1000 payment to any undocumented immigrants who use the app to self-deport.

Those eligible to receive the $1,000 must:

• Be physically present in the United States

• Have no criminal record

• Have had an encounter with Customs officers at a port of entry or between ports of entry

Unaccompanied Minors Being Forced to Make Legal Decisions Without Capacity

This week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were instructed to ask children aged 14 and older encountered during immigration enforcement nationwide whether they wish to voluntarily leave the United States, according to officials. If a child agrees, they will be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation. If not, the teens would still be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (‘HHS’) Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The targeting of unaccompanied children raises concern as vulnerable children are not capable of fully understanding the consequences of choosing to self-deport, especially without the guidance of a lawyer.

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