The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that the Trump administration has paid out self-deportation bonuses to approximately 100,000 illegal migrants so far, meaning the federal government has paid out at least $100 million. 

President Donald Trump first teased the $1,000 deportation bonus last year, which was offered to all illegal migrants who chose to deport themselves through a DHS app. The administration is also paying for the deportation flights. 

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the Washington Times that most of the migrants received the $1,000 check, but some applied to deport themselves when the administration increased the bonus to $3,000 last month for the holidays. 

She also noted that the $1,000 stipend was notably less than the cost to arrest, detain and deport migrants.

“It’s like a 70% savings, at least,” she said. “The more deportations we see, the more self-deportations. It’s kind of a virtuous cycle, as far as those in the country illegally are getting the message.”

The assistant secretary also said she and others in the administration wear the hate messages they receive from people critical of the deportations as a "badge of honor."

“They are going after us because we are giving the facts and the truth to the American people, and we are doing so in a way that is swift but also effective," she said. 

The comment comes as tensions in Minnesota increase over recent shootings involving federal immigration officers. One ICE agent fatally shot a woman earlier this month who drove at the agent with her car. Minnesota Democratic officials argue that the shooting was unjustified, while federal officials counter that the agent acted in self-defense.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.