US Offers $2,100 to Temporary Migrants Who Voluntarily Leave the Country

The US Department of Homeland Security has told migrants protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that they must either secure another legal immigration status or prepare to leave the United States once their protection ends.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said during a televised interview that TPS is not intended to provide permanent residence and cannot be treated as a long-term immigration solution. He said migrants who cannot regularise their status would be expected to leave the country voluntarily where possible.

Mullin said the government is offering incentives to encourage voluntary departures, including a paid flight and a payment of just over $2,000 to help with resettlement. "Temporary status…is NOT permanent status," he said, adding that the administration is ready to assist those returning to their home countries.

His remarks follow a US Supreme Court ruling that confirmed the government's authority to end TPS protections. The Trump administration welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant victory for its immigration policy.

The ruling could affect more than 350,000 Haitians and about 6,000 Syrians who currently benefit from TPS. Both countries continue to face serious instability. The US State Department advises against travel to Haiti and Syria because of threats including terrorism, kidnapping, widespread unrest and crime.

TPS was created to provide temporary protection for people from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters or epidemics. It protects eligible migrants from deportation, allows them to work legally in the United States and permits them to apply for travel authorisation. However, the programme does not provide a direct route to permanent residence.

The administration's position is consistent with its broader "America First" immigration policy, which focuses on stronger enforcement and discouraging unlawful or prolonged stays. Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security expanded its self-departure programme by offering a $2,600 payment through the CBP Home app to eligible migrants who choose to leave voluntarily.

Officials say the programme reduces government spending because enforcing a removal typically costs more than $18,000, while voluntary departures cost less than a third of that amount. Critics argue that ending TPS could force vulnerable people to return to countries that the US government itself considers unsafe.

Supporters say the policy enforces immigration law and helps protect employment opportunities for American workers. The future of TPS remains uncertain as court decisions and government policy continue to shape how long affected migrants can remain legally in the United States.