On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a far-reaching executive order targeting immigration, authorizing comprehensive raids across the nation with the deployment of more than 20,000 agents. Dubbed the “Homecoming Project,” this unprecedented initiative aims at undocumented immigrants by mobilizing a substantial force for detention and deportation operations nationwide.
“Illegal immigrants now face a straightforward decision: leave voluntarily with financial assistance or remain and suffer the consequences,” Trump declared while unveiling the order, which also introduces a government-backed self-deportation initiative. The directive mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bolster its immigration enforcement by recruiting at least 20,000 new agents, drawing from retired federal personnel, state law enforcement, and specialized contractors.
This expanded force is tasked with ramping up detention operations in neighborhoods, workplaces, transportation hubs, and border areas. According to the official text, undocumented immigrants will have the option of voluntary departure funded by the government, accessing free flights arranged through the “CBP Home” app and receiving an economic incentive known as a “departure bonus.”
For those choosing to stay without legal status, the administration warns of immediate removal, prosecution for immigration offenses, imprisonment, fines, wage garnishment, and asset seizure, including homes and vehicles. The White House statement claims that in the past four years, the U.S. has faced a “large-scale invasion” of illegal immigrants, whom it blames for causing “crime, vagrancy, violence, and death” in numerous communities.
The Trump administration argues that the presence of undocumented individuals in the U.S. has resulted in an annual public spending burden of over $150 billion, due to healthcare, education, housing, food, and crime-related costs. The president believes the new plan could significantly cut these expenses through a mix of forced removals and incentives for voluntary exit.
Critics have started to question the legality and feasibility of the plan, suggesting it could lead to racial profiling, human rights violations, and a humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, migrant advocacy organizations are bracing for a fresh wave of raids, especially in states with high immigrant populations like California, Texas, and Florida. Signed on May 9, 2025, the executive order marks the most aggressive tightening of immigration policy in decades.
Key Questions About Trump’s Immigration Raids
What is the Homecoming Project?
The Homecoming Project is an initiative introduced by President Trump authorizing widespread raids on undocumented immigrants across the U.S., deploying over 20,000 agents for enforcement operations.
What options do undocumented immigrants have under this order?
Undocumented immigrants can choose to leave voluntarily with financial support or face immediate removal and legal consequences if they remain without legal status.
How will the DHS enforce this new policy?
The DHS will expand its enforcement capabilities by hiring over 20,000 new agents, including retired federal employees and specialized contractors, to intensify detention and deportation efforts.
What are the potential impacts of the plan according to critics?
Critics warn that the plan could lead to racial profiling, human rights violations, and a humanitarian crisis, questioning both its legality and practicality.