Arizona Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego sparked debate on social media this week after suggesting an alternative approach to the Trump administration ’s $1,000 stipend plan encouraging undocumented migrants to self-deport.
Gallego wrote on X, “Why don’t we make them pay a $5k fine, go through a background check and give them a work visa for a few years, renewable with good behavior.” The proposal came after the Department of Homeland Security announced it would pay $1,000 to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the United States, and cover their travel costs using the newly revamped CBP Home app.
The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a central focus of its agenda, pushing for mass deportations while also encouraging voluntary departures through incentives. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the new plan provides a “safe and cost-effective” way for people to leave the US, projecting that the use of the app could reduce deportation costs by around 70 percent.
But Gallego’s post quickly drew criticism from some users, who accused him of rewarding illegal immigration. One user asked, “You’re telling people who are following the legal path to citizenship that you want illegal immigrants to pay $5,000 to skip the line even though they broke the law?” Gallego responded, “Work visa is not citizenship.”
Another user proposed barring migrants from government benefits or voting, while requiring employers to pay union wages. Gallego replied, “If they have a visa they don’t have a right to anything you mentioned. Union wages would be great, though I think it’s a state issue.”
When questioned why undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay at all, Gallego countered, “I am fine with that, let’s clear the line first then.” And when a user suggested the fine should be higher than $5,000, Gallego was open to negotiation: “It can be higher. It just needs to be workable.”
Critics of the self-deportation scheme, including immigration advocates, have warned that leaving the US without completing immigration court proceedings could lead to automatic deportation orders and abandonment of asylum applications. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council pointed out that the app doesn’t guarantee there won’t be legal consequences for those already in removal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Trump defended the plan, saying migrants who self-deport might “come back in if they’re good people” and “love our country.”
Gallego wrote on X, “Why don’t we make them pay a $5k fine, go through a background check and give them a work visa for a few years, renewable with good behavior.” The proposal came after the Department of Homeland Security announced it would pay $1,000 to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the United States, and cover their travel costs using the newly revamped CBP Home app.
Why don’t we make them pay a $5k fine, go through a background check and give them a work visa for a few years, renewable with good behavior. https://t.co/9xobe9oF1N
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) May 5, 2025
The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a central focus of its agenda, pushing for mass deportations while also encouraging voluntary departures through incentives. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the new plan provides a “safe and cost-effective” way for people to leave the US, projecting that the use of the app could reduce deportation costs by around 70 percent.
But Gallego’s post quickly drew criticism from some users, who accused him of rewarding illegal immigration. One user asked, “You’re telling people who are following the legal path to citizenship that you want illegal immigrants to pay $5,000 to skip the line even though they broke the law?” Gallego responded, “Work visa is not citizenship.”
Another user proposed barring migrants from government benefits or voting, while requiring employers to pay union wages. Gallego replied, “If they have a visa they don’t have a right to anything you mentioned. Union wages would be great, though I think it’s a state issue.”
When questioned why undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay at all, Gallego countered, “I am fine with that, let’s clear the line first then.” And when a user suggested the fine should be higher than $5,000, Gallego was open to negotiation: “It can be higher. It just needs to be workable.”
Critics of the self-deportation scheme, including immigration advocates, have warned that leaving the US without completing immigration court proceedings could lead to automatic deportation orders and abandonment of asylum applications. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council pointed out that the app doesn’t guarantee there won’t be legal consequences for those already in removal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Trump defended the plan, saying migrants who self-deport might “come back in if they’re good people” and “love our country.”
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