On October 3rd, 2025, a notice from the Department of Health and Human Services was sent to legal service providers representing unaccompanied migrant children. The notice stated that the Department of Homeland Security “will provide a one-time resettlement support stipend of $2,500 … to unaccompanied alien children, 14 years of age and older, who have elected to voluntarily depart the United States as of the date of this notice and moving forward.”
This motion is effective immediately. To be eligible for the stipend, children must be from countries other than Mexico and Canada and must be currently in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Payment will be fulfilled once the request is granted by an immigration judge and once the individual has arrived in their country of origin.
The Assistant Director of ICE’s Office of Public Affairs, Emily Covington, has stated that this is a “strictly voluntary” option for children to return home to their families and is intended to help with “reintegration efforts following departure”, as mentioned in the notice. However, many are concerned that this notice undermines children from receiving a fair and full process to determine eligibility for permanent resident status (green card), and incentivizes a vulnerable population with financial payouts when other legal avenues may be available.
Patterns have begun to present themselves as the Trump Administration has been pushing for individuals to self-deport. Recently, in a separate program, the Trump Administration offered a self-deportation stipend of $1,000 for families and adults to leave the country.
Contact a Deportation Attorney Today
For several decades, Reeves Immigration Law Group has served immigrants and their families, achieving success in complex cases. Our immigration attorneys can offer legal guidance and expertise to help you achieve your desired results and protect your rights.
With consistent new announcements and changing legislation, we understand the risk of facing deportation is scary, and the answers are not always clear. Contact us today to speak with a family immigration attorney regarding this notice and the best legal options available to your family.
