First Voluntary Deportation Flight Sends 68 Migrants Home

The United States carried out its first voluntary deportation flight on May 19, sending 68 migrants back to their home countries of Honduras and Colombia. The operation, part of the Department of Homeland Security's Self-Deport program, offered each migrant $1,000, travel assistance, and the opportunity to apply for legal U.S. entry. Footage shows migrants boarding planes in Bogota and San Pedro Sula, with officials facilitating the process. One Honduran migrant, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed relief at returning home, stating, "It was a difficult decision, but I'm glad to be going back to my family." The program aims to provide a safe and orderly return for migrants who choose to leave the U.S. voluntarily. This initiative represents a new approach to managing migration flows, offering a potential alternative to more traditional deportation methods.