Listen to this article

Trump Launches Mass Deportation, $1,000 Self-Deportation Program, and Tariffs on Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela

10 posts • GPT (4.1)

Updated May 12, 2025, 08:03 PM

President Donald Trump has initiated a mass deportation campaign targeting undocumented immigrants in the United States, with a stated goal of deporting at least one million people in the first year of his current term. The administration has implemented daily detention quotas for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices, reportedly requiring 75 arrests per office per day, totaling around 1,500 arrests nationally each day. Since January 20, authorities have removed 61,000 immigrants, with 142,000 deported and 158,000 detained during the first quarter.

A federally funded self-deportation program was established by executive order, offering paid flights and an 'exit bonus' for those who voluntarily and permanently leave the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a $1,000 stipend for participants, paid after their return is confirmed through the CBP Home app. Those who do not self-deport face penalties including a $1,000 daily fine, jail time, confiscation of property, wage garnishment, and deportation. The administration has also suspended the CBP One app, used for asylum appointments, and replaced it with CBP Home to facilitate departures.

Enforcement measures have included revoking Social Security numbers, restricting access to public benefits, and using federal agencies to collect and share personal information. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have been involved in data sharing to support enforcement. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has worked with governors to halt unemployment benefits for immigrant workers. The administration has also fired or lost nearly 50 immigration judges, reducing judicial capacity by about 10%.

To pressure immigrants, the administration has implemented Operation Safeguard and the Laken Riley Law, expanded the list of deportable offenses, and invoked the Alien Registration Act. At least 47,000 immigrants have registered under new requirements, with 369 arrests reported at USCIS offices since January 20. The administration has also threatened to use Guantánamo Bay for detentions and explored third-country deportations, including to El Salvador, where deportees may be incarcerated. The government has signed a contract with Palantir, founded by Peter Thiel, to develop ImmigrationOS, a $30 million tracking platform.

Internationally, Trump has used tariffs and economic pressure to secure cooperation from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. Mexico deployed 10,000 troops to its border and extradited 29 drug lords, while facing 25% U.S. tariffs. Colombia faced 10% tariffs and agreed to accept deported migrants and share biometric data. Venezuela faced 15% tariffs and the threat of Chevron's license withdrawal, leading to resumed deportation flights. El Salvador has accepted deportees, including MS-13 gang members, reportedly receiving $20,000 per person and offering a discount for key transfers.

Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have documented increased arbitrary detentions, family separations, and due process violations. Critics have noted parallels to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's policies, including daily arrest quotas and systematic rights abuses. The Trump administration has also threatened to defy court orders and has taken punitive actions against foreign officials, including reported visa revocations for Mexican politicians. The involvement of private contractors, such as GEO Group and Palantir, has raised concerns about profiteering from enforcement measures.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

Related Prediction Markets

How many people will Trump deport in 2025?

Will Trump deport 750,000 or more people in 2025?

Will Melania Trump be deported?

Will Mahmoud Khalil be deported before July?

Trump travel ban on more countries before July?

•

Sources

english.elpais.com(2)elpais.com(2)washingtonexaminer.com(2)larazon.es(2)

La Jornada

@lajornadaonline

#Astillero, column by @julioastillero. The United States Department of State (according to information published by those involved) has taken a first step in punishing relevant Morenist leaders by Trumpist. https://t.co/14Z7unjRr4 https://t.co/KC6U7o2WzK

El País English Edition

@elpaisinenglish

🗞️ Trump takes cues from Bukele in plan to deport a million people The pressure to meet immigration arrest targets is fostering the systematic violation of human rights, as seen in El Salvador https://t.co/Zp7MweTj8Y

EL PAÍS América

@elpais_america

🌎🗞️ #PortadaELPAÍS | What Trump has achieved in Latin America with his threats; The Republican is reflected in Bukele's authoritarian mirror to carry out his deportation plan, in EL PAÍS this May 12 🔗 https://t.co/4v0jj08sMB https://t.co/Rfot3Ew70E