The United States has increased financial incentives for illegal migrants who voluntarily leave the country to $3,000, with the offer valid for applications submitted before the end of the year, American Broadcasting Company reported on December 22.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that American taxpayers have tripled the incentive for illegal migrants to depart voluntarily during the Christmas season.

Migrants who self-deport using the CBP Home App before year-end will receive the $3,000 bonus.

The US government will also cover airfare costs for departing migrants. Fines and other penalties for immigration law violations will be waived for participants in the voluntary departure programme.

Since January 1.9mn unregistered migrants in the US have utilised the self-deportation option.

President Donald Trump has stated that approximately 25mn people entered the country illegally before he took office, with immigration teams now.

He has repeatedly advocated for stricter immigration policies and signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency at the US-Mexico border following his inauguration.

Trump indicated plans to conduct the largest deportation operation in American history targeting illegal migrants.

The deportations come amid a broader US immigration enforcement campaign under the Trump administration, which has increased arrests and removals of undocumented immigrants and those with visa violations.

Others have been forcibly removed to dozens of countries, including Iranians being forced back to Iran under several roundups.

Earlier in November, ICE agents arrested Iranian national Vahid Abedini, working at Oklahoma’s Boren College of International Studies, one of a growing number of professionals targeted by the Trump administration.

Abedini was freed after three days in custody, attributed to media coverage and university advocacy, but a December 7 update reveals he remains free yet cautious, fearing retaliation from Iranian authorities if he speaks publicly about the ordeal.