**US Plans to Use Foreign Aid Funds to Deport 700,000 People from Conflict Zones**
The US government is considering using $250 million of foreign aid funds to help people voluntarily leave the country, including around 200,000 Ukrainians and 500,000 Haitians. This proposal was revealed in a report by The Washington Post on May 20, citing draft internal documents.
According to the documents, the Trump administration plans to use these funds to charter flights or pay for commercial airfare for people from countries such as Ukraine, Haiti, Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. This move has been met with criticism from former government officials who call it “inhumane” and “counter to long-held US ideals”.
**A Shift in Immigration Policy**
The proposal is a shift in the Trump administration’s immigration policy, which has become increasingly strict since President Donald Trump took office. In 2016, he pledged to launch the “largest deportation program in US history”, aimed at removing 15-20 million migrants from the country.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on May 5, saying that immigrants who voluntarily leave the US for their home countries would be eligible for $1,000 in assistance. However, critics question whether this plan constitutes an abuse of foreign aid funds intended primarily to support refugees and their resettlement.
**Concerns Over Safety and Funding**
Opponents of the proposal argue that it forces asylum seekers to return to countries where they are at risk of being killed. They also raise concerns about using foreign aid funds for a voluntary resettlement program, rather than providing direct support to those in need.
For example, there are around 200,000 Ukrainian refugees in the US, according to the United Nations. The Trump administration suspended acceptance of applications from Ukrainians for asylum under the Uniting for Ukraine program in late January. This program allowed for two years of asylum in the US, as well as other benefits such as the right to work, study, and have health insurance.
**A Response from the Government**
The US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, verified the documents’ authenticity but described them as “outdated”. She also added that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has not made a final decision on temporary protected status for Haiti or Ukraine.
The State Department acknowledged that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to provide travel support and financial incentives to encourage migrants to leave the country voluntarily. However, critics remain unconvinced by this proposal and urge the government to reconsider its stance on immigration policy.
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