The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun offering illegal migrants a $1,000 exit bonus along with the forgiveness of fines if they return home.

However, the Trump administration is also dropping a financial hammer on those who will not depart willingly. 

Illegal aliens are being hit with fines of nearly $1,000 per day

As the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued roughly $6 billion worth of fines since President Donald Trump took office.

The Trump administration is taking steps to collect financial penalties imposed on immigrants it says have ignored deportation orders https://t.co/eoyy5RNL6r

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) August 27, 2025

The newspaper noted how those fines typically amount to $998 for every day of unlawful presence and are being levied retroactively.

"It's an easy choice: Leave voluntarily and receive [a] $1,000 check, or stay and wait till you are fined $1,000 [a] day, arrested and deported without a possibility to return legally," a senior DHS official was quoted as telling the newspaper.

Some tax experts of skeptical of plan to involve IRS

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin offered a similar perspective, explaining that the financial penalties are designed to encourage compliance with immigration law.

"These fines are targeted toward illegal aliens who ignore removal orders and do not honor voluntary departure agreements," she stated.

What's more, the Journal noted how DHS is considering a plan under which unpaid fines would be reported to the IRS as taxable income.

However, that suggestion has met with skepticism from some tax experts, who say it would represent a novel approach to assessing tax obligations.

Nina Olson serves as executive director at the Center for Taxpayer Rights, and she remarked, "I don’t think I’ve ever seen income from a penalty waiver."

DHS provides details regarding departure bonus

Meanwhile, DHS put out a press release earlier this year in which it provided details regarding the offer of a departure bonus for illegal aliens.

DHS called it "a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App."

"Any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App to self-deport will also receive a stipend of $1,000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app," the statement explained.

"Self-deportation is a dignified way to leave the U.S. and will allow illegal aliens to avoid being encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," it went on to add.