05-14-2025

Establishing Project Homecoming

ProclamationView the Original .pdf
View the Original .pdf

The 1-Minute Brief

What: This presidential proclamation, titled "Project Homecoming," offers undocumented immigrants a choice: accept a financial "exit bonus" and a federally-funded flight to voluntarily leave the U.S. permanently, or face a large-scale enforcement campaign with severe penalties for remaining.

Money: The proclamation claims that costs related to illegal immigration exceeded $150 billion in Fiscal Year 2023. It authorizes federal spending for departure flights and an "exit bonus" of an unspecified amount, while aiming to achieve long-term savings by reducing the undocumented population.

Your Impact: The most direct effect is on undocumented immigrants and their families. For other Americans, the impact may include shifts in local economies and labor markets, particularly in agriculture and construction, and the use of taxpayer funds for both the voluntary departure incentives and a massive increase in immigration enforcement personnel.

Status: Issued as a Presidential Proclamation on May 9, 2025. As an executive action, it does not require congressional approval to take effect.

What's Actually in the Bill

This proclamation directs the executive branch to implement a two-part program targeting aliens residing in the U.S. illegally. The first part is a voluntary departure system, and the second is an intensified enforcement operation for those who do not leave.

Core Provisions:

  • Voluntary Departure Program: The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security are directed to create a seamless process for undocumented aliens to leave the U.S. This includes:
    • A new "CBP Home" mobile application to facilitate departure.
    • 100% Federally-funded flights for those who agree to depart voluntarily and permanently.
    • A "concierge service" at airports to help undocumented aliens, even those without travel documents, book flights to a country willing to accept them.
    • An unspecified financial "exit bonus" for each person who voluntarily and permanently departs.
  • Penalties for Remaining: For those who do not depart voluntarily, the proclamation orders a nationwide campaign to publicize and enforce stiff penalties, including:
    • Removal, prosecution, incarceration, and fines for immigration-related crimes.
    • Garnishment of wages and confiscation of savings and personal property, including homes and vehicles.
  • Enforcement Surge: The Secretary of Homeland Security must, within 60 days of the proclamation, increase the immigration enforcement force by at least 20,000 officers. This will be accomplished by deputizing and contracting with state and local law enforcement, former federal officers, and other individuals.

Stated Purpose (from the Sponsors):

The proclamation states its purpose is to address what it calls a "full-scale invasion of aliens" and a subsequent "onslaught of crime, vagrancy, violence, and death." The stated goals are to:

  1. End the "lawless invasion" and remove "illegal-alien invaders" from the country.
  2. Protect the American people and alleviate the strain on schools, hospitals, and social services.
  3. Save taxpayer resources by incentivizing voluntary departure, thereby reducing an estimated $150 billion annual fiscal burden.
  4. Restore the sovereignty of the United States.

Key Facts:

Affected Sectors: Immigration, Law Enforcement, Agriculture, Construction, Hospitality, and Social Services.
Timeline: The directive to hire 20,000 additional enforcement officers must be completed by July 8, 2025. The voluntary departure program and associated penalties are to be implemented immediately.
Scope: The program is nationwide, affecting all undocumented aliens present in the United States.

The Backstory: How We Got Here

Timeline of Events:

The Post-9/11 Era (2001-2016):

Following the September 11th attacks, federal immigration enforcement was reorganized under the newly created Department of Homeland Security. Programs like 287(g) were established, which delegate federal immigration enforcement authority to state and local police, laying the groundwork for increased internal enforcement. This period saw fluctuating, but generally high, levels of deportation and border enforcement under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

The Trump Administration (2017-2021) and the Biden Administration (2021-2025):

The first Trump administration prioritized aggressive immigration enforcement, seeking to build a border wall and increasing arrests in the interior of the country. The subsequent Biden administration reversed some of these policies, focusing enforcement priorities on individuals deemed a threat to public safety or national security and expanding the use of humanitarian parole. These shifting policies, combined with global events, led to a record number of encounters at the U.S. border and a growing backlog in immigration courts. The estimated net cost of illegal immigration became a central point of political debate, with figures ranging around $150 billion annually cited by critics.

Why Now? The Political Calculus:

  • Fulfilling a Core Promise: Signed in the first year of a hypothetical second term, this proclamation acts on a central campaign theme of implementing a large-scale deportation operation.
  • Bypassing Congress: Frustrated by legislative gridlock on immigration, the administration is using the full extent of its perceived executive authority to act decisively.
  • Responding to Public Pressure: The measure is framed as a direct response to concerns from the administration's political base about national security, crime, and the economic costs of immigration, which are cited as exceeding $150 billion per year.
  • A Show of Force: The creation of a 20,000-officer removal force and the threat of property confiscation are designed to signal a zero-tolerance policy and compel voluntary departures through intimidation.

Your Real-World Impact

The Direct Answer: This proclamation directly and profoundly affects all undocumented immigrants, with significant ripple effects on their families, communities, and the industries that employ them.

What Could Change for You:

Potential Benefits:

  • For those who support stricter immigration controls, this could be seen as restoring the rule of law and protecting national sovereignty.
  • Taxpayers may see a long-term reduction in state and local expenditures on social services currently used by undocumented immigrants and their children, if the program succeeds in significantly reducing that population.
  • Some undocumented immigrants may view the offer of a free flight and financial bonus as a viable opportunity to return to their home country or relocate elsewhere.

Possible Disruptions or Costs:

Short-term (First 1-6 months):

  • Widespread fear and instability in immigrant communities, potentially driving people underground and making them less likely to cooperate with law enforcement on other crimes.
  • Significant labor disruptions in key sectors like agriculture, construction, and hospitality, which could lead to project delays and increased consumer costs.
  • Immediate federal expenditure to fund the "exit bonus," international flights, and the rapid expansion of the enforcement workforce.

Long-term:

  • Permanent shifts in the U.S. labor force and demographics.
  • Potential for protracted legal battles over the constitutionality of the proclamation's provisions, particularly property confiscation.
  • Changes in the social fabric of communities with large immigrant populations.

Who's Most Affected:

Primary Groups: Undocumented immigrants and their families, including many U.S.-citizen children who could face family separation.
Secondary Groups: Employers in industries with a high reliance on immigrant labor, state and local law enforcement agencies asked to take on federal immigration duties, and social service providers.
Regional Impact: States with large immigrant populations, such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York, would experience the most significant impacts.

Bottom Line: This proclamation forces a life-altering decision upon millions of undocumented residents: take a one-time offer to leave or risk losing everything in a deportation dragnet.

Where the Parties Stand

Republican Position: "End the Invasion, Restore Our Sovereignty"

Core Stance: The proclamation is a necessary and decisive action to enforce existing immigration laws and protect the nation's security and economic well-being.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ The policy faithfully executes immigration law and prioritizes the safety and financial interests of American citizens.
  • ✓ It tackles what they describe as a "full-scale invasion" that burdens taxpayers and threatens public safety.
  • ✓ Providing an option for voluntary, paid departure is a pragmatic way to accelerate the removal of those here illegally, potentially saving taxpayer money in the long run.
  • ⚠️ Concerns may exist among some business-oriented Republicans about the economic impact of losing a significant portion of the workforce in key industries.

Legislative Strategy: As this is an executive action, the strategy is one of implementation and defense. The administration will focus on directing DHS and the State Department to execute the plan and will defend it against expected legal challenges in court.

Democratic Position: "Cruel, Unlawful, and Un-American"

Core Stance: This is an extreme, inhumane, and likely unconstitutional abuse of executive power that targets families and destabilizes communities.

Their Arguments:

  • ✓ They may concede that the immigration system needs reform but would argue this approach is punitive rather than constructive.
  • ⚠️ They express grave concerns about deputizing local law enforcement for immigration, fearing it will lead to racial profiling and erode community trust in police.
  • ✗ They vehemently oppose the "invasion" rhetoric as dehumanizing and the policy of property confiscation without due process as unconstitutional.
  • ✗ They argue that mass deportations would tear families apart, harm the economy, and violate fundamental American values of due process and fairness.

Legislative Strategy: Opponents will focus on challenging the proclamation in federal court, arguing it oversteps presidential authority and violates constitutional rights. They will also engage in public advocacy, work to block funding for its implementation, and support "sanctuary" policies at the state and local level to refuse cooperation.

Constitutional Check

The Verdict: ⚠️ Questionable

Basis of Authority:

The proclamation cites the President's authority under the Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), specifically Section 215(a)(1) [8 U.S.C. 1185(a)(1)].

Relevant Portion of the Constitution (Article II, Section 3): "[The President] shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed..."
Relevant Portion of the INA [8 U.S.C. § 1185(a)(1)]: Makes it unlawful for an alien to depart from or enter the U.S. "except under such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders, and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may prescribe."

Constitutional Implications:

Executive Authority: The President has broad, but not unlimited, authority to enforce immigration laws. Courts have consistently recognized the executive's power to set enforcement priorities, known as prosecutorial discretion.
Due Process (5th Amendment): The most serious legal questions involve the directive to confiscate personal property (savings, homes, vehicles) from those who remain. Seizing private property without a judicial hearing and a court order would almost certainly be challenged as a violation of the 5th Amendment's guarantee of due process.
Federalism (10th Amendment): The directive to deputize state and local law enforcement could be challenged under the "anti-commandeering" doctrine, which holds that the federal government cannot compel states or their officials to enforce federal law. While voluntary partnerships like the 287(g) program are generally permissible, a broad mandate could face legal hurdles.

Potential Legal Challenges:

Legal challenges are almost certain and will likely be filed immediately by civil liberties and immigrant rights organizations. The primary arguments will be:

  1. The program, particularly the property confiscation provision, violates the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
  2. The President is exceeding the authority granted by Congress under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
  3. The entire proclamation is an arbitrary and capricious abuse of executive power that violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

Your Action Options

TO SUPPORT THIS PROCLAMATION

5-Minute Actions:

  • Call Your Rep/Senators: Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. "I'm a constituent from [Your City/Town] and I support the President's actions in 'Project Homecoming' to increase immigration enforcement."
  • Contact the White House: Express your support directly through the White House comments line or website.

30-Minute Deep Dive:

  • Write a Letter to the Editor: Submit a letter to your local newspaper explaining why you believe this policy is necessary for national security and economic stability.
  • Join an Organization: Groups that advocate for stricter immigration enforcement include the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), and NumbersUSA.

TO OPPOSE THIS PROCLAMATION

5-Minute Actions:

  • Call Your Rep/Senators: Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. "I'm a constituent from [Your City/Town] and I urge [Rep./Sen. Name] to publicly oppose 'Project Homecoming' and use all available powers to block it."

30-Minute Deep Dive:

  • Write a Detailed Email: Contact your elected officials and the leadership of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees to voice your opposition, citing concerns about constitutionality, economic impact, and human rights.
  • Join an Organization: Numerous organizations advocate for immigrant rights and will likely lead legal and public challenges, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the National Immigration Project (NIP), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).