“Teens, Trauma & $2,500: The Price of ‘Voluntary’ Deportation”

In a move that’s equal parts eyebrow-raising and unsettling, the Trump administration is now dangling $2,500 in front of unaccompanied migrant minors (14 years old and up) as a “resettlement incentive” — basically telling them, “Hey, take this money and go home… if you dare.”

Internal emails (leaked to the AP) reveal that these children had just 24 hours to reply — and shelter operators only had 4 hours to confirm they’d gotten the message. Talk about pressure.  The offer is contingent: only after an immigration judge approves the exit, and once the teen has physically returned to their country, will the payout happen.

This isn’t brand new — the policy initially targeted 17-year-olds, building on a prior $1,000 offer made to adult migrants.  But expanding it to minors? That’s a whole new level of moral messiness.

Unsurprisingly, advocates are up in arms. One legal advocate (Neha Desai of the National Center for Youth Law) blasted the strategy: “There is no legitimate reason for the government to incentivize children with cash to leave.”  Another group noted that legal aid — already under threat — is now more vital than ever for these vulnerable kids.

Because, make no mistake: many of these teens didn’t “choose” the journey — they fled violence, hardship, or persecution. Pressuring them with a financial carrot to return? It smacks of coercion, not “voluntary” decision-making.

Bottom line: Offering money to minors to leave their safety net is a dangerous gambit — one that’s raising serious ethical, legal, and humanitarian alarms. 💥