(BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to create a federally funded self-deportation program with paid flights and an "exit bonus" for any who seek to "voluntarily and permanently" leave the US.
In a statement posted to the White House`s website, Trump lashed out at immigrants, blaming "a full-scale invasion" of those who stay in the US illegally for crime and violence.
"Illegal aliens who stay in America face punishments, including -- sudden deportation, in a place and manner solely of our discretion. TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS: BOOK YOUR FREE FLIGHT RIGHT NOW!" Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social.
The promise of a reward was followed by the threat of penalties for those deemed in violation of immigration law.
Anyone who does not self-deport, Trump said, can face "significant jail time, enormous financial penalties, confiscation of all property, garnishment of all wages, imprisonment and incarceration, and sudden deportation in a place and manner solely of our discretion."
Friday`s announcement followed Trump`s comments to reporters on Monday, pledging to "pay each one a certain amount of money, and we`re going to get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from."
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that her department will operate a $1,000 stipend program, to be paid after a person`s return to their home country has been confirmed through the CBP Home app.
In the video accompanying Friday`s post, Trump said "as long as it`s not here, you can go anywhere you want."