Trump Admin Sought To Use $250 Million Earmarked For Foreign Aid To Fund Deportations, Including To Conflict Zones

The Trump administration reportedly sought to use hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for foreign aid to fund deportations, including to conflict zones like Haiti and Ukraine.

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that the proposal was in development before an announcement offering a $1,000 stipend to migrants who self-deport. The outlet added that while the use of public funds to conduct repatriations is not unheard of, doing so to conflict-ridden areas is.

Draft documents seen by the outlet also mention Afghans, Palestinians and Libyans, arguing that they could be targeted as part of the deportation program. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) does not support the return of people to those countries.

The administration has begun facilitating flights for migrants who agreed to self-deport. The first one took place on Monday, when 64 people were flown from Houston to Honduras and Colombia.

"All participants were offered the same benefits as any illegal alien who self-deports using the CBP Home App. They received travel assistance, a $1,000 stipend, and preserved the possibility they could one day return to the United States legally," the Department of Homeland Security said in a social media post.

The agency also uploaded a video of the operation, showing migrants boarding a bus to the airport. Some of those filmed wave at the camera or give it a thumbs up. Two women with babies are also shown picking a stuffed animal from a table. A girl also picks one up along with someone who appears to be a U.S. official.

The Associated Press noted that migrants were given $1,000 debit cards from the U.S. government as well as an offer to eventually be allowed to apply for legal entry into the country. The Honduran government said it is also giving returning migrants $100 in cash and $200 in credit at a government-run store selling basic goods.