Iryna Nesterova14:33, 20.05.25

The deportation of US migrants is costing $250 million in foreign aid.

The US administration has developed a plan to spend $250 million in foreign aid to repatriate migrants who arrived in the United States from active combat zones. This includes 200,000 Ukrainian and 500,000 Haitian refugees, The Washington Post reports , citing internal documents.

It is noted that this proposal was being developed before the US Department of Homeland Security announced on May 5 that immigrants who voluntarily “self-deport” to their countries would be able to receive a payment of $1,000 from the US government.

The publication recalled that previous US administrations have supported the use of taxpayer funds for the voluntary repatriation of migrants. However, it emphasized that President Donald Trump’s proposal is special because it concerns people who have fled dangerous regions and appears to be aimed at bypassing the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is affiliated with the UN and usually coordinates such returns. 

This plan also coincides with the Trump administration’s intentions to cut foreign aid, including eliminating the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ending 80% of its programs, including those that served Ukraine, Haiti, and other troubled countries.

In addition to Ukrainians and Haitians, the draft documents mention Afghans, Palestinians, Libyans, Sudanese, Syrians and Yemenis, who could also be targets of the voluntary deportation program. Meanwhile, the publication emphasizes, the International Organization for Migration does not support the return of people to any of these places.

The draft documents are marked “preliminary decision,” and a Department of Homeland Security official called them “outdated.” Nevertheless, the article notes, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department signed an agreement last week with the aforementioned provisions, including $250 million in foreign aid funds. However, it does not mention specific nationalities.

Critics of the proposal, including former administration officials, see it as inhumane and contrary to long-held U.S. ideals. It would force asylum seekers back to countries where they are in danger. Critics also suspect the plan is a waste of foreign aid.

The publication recalled that during the administration of previous US President Joe Biden, both Ukrainians and Haitians were granted temporary status, which allows migrants to remain in the States if they cannot safely return to their country. 

Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the authenticity of the documents, created in April-May, but noted that decisions regarding Ukraine and Haiti have not yet been made:

“The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State are working together to implement the President’s policy of using foreign assistance funds to encourage the voluntary deportation of individuals who are in the United States illegally.”

What is known about the possible deportation of Ukrainian refugees from the USA?

As UNIAN previously reported, Ukrainian refugees in the US are afraid that Trump will expel them from the country. Bloomberg wrote that Ukrainian migrants recently received an email from the US Department of Homeland Security stating that “humanitarian parole programs have been terminated” and that Ukrainians should leave the US.

Journalists found out that the next day, the Ukrainian migrants received a second letter, stating that the previous message had been sent in error. 

“It just created chaos in society. How can you work normally and manage your family if you are constantly under such pressure?” Edem Uppa, a 29-year-old native of Crimea who has lived in the United States since 2015, told reporters.

(c)UNIAN 2025