Establishing Project Homecoming
5/9/2025
Action Summary
- Establishment of Project Homecoming: Announces a new initiative to address the impact of illegal aliens on public safety, social services, and the national budget.
- Context and Fiscal Concerns: Cites rising crime, violence, and excessive fiscal burdens (over $150 billion in FY 2023) due to the sustained presence of illegal aliens.
- Voluntary Departure Mechanism: Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with other agencies, to create streamlined processes—including the “CBP Home” application—to facilitate the rapid, voluntary departure of illegal aliens.
- Government-Funded Exit Support: Provides for Federal funding of departure flights and a concierge service to assist in booking travel, with an “exit bonus” as a financial incentive.
- Exit Bonus Incentive: Mandates the offer of a financial bonus for each illegal alien who voluntarily and permanently departs the United States.
- Penalties for Non-Departure: Outlines severe consequences including removal, prosecution, incarceration, fines, wage garnishment, and confiscation of personal property for those who fail to leave voluntarily.
- Enhanced Enforcement Operations: Calls for a nationwide communications campaign and the expansion of removal operations, adding at least 20,000 officers from State, local, and Federal agencies within 60 days.
- Legal Authority and Issuance: Proclaimed by President Donald J. Trump on May 9, 2025, under the legal authority of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Risks & Considerations
- The establishment of Project Homecoming could lead to increased scrutiny and enforcement actions on university campuses, particularly those with significant international student populations. This may create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among students who are undocumented or have undocumented family members.
- Vanderbilt University may face challenges in maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus environment if students or staff are affected by the increased immigration enforcement measures. This could impact the university’s reputation and its ability to attract international talent.
- The financial incentives and penalties outlined in the proclamation may lead to a decrease in the number of undocumented individuals in the community, potentially affecting local economies and the availability of certain services and labor.
- There is a risk of legal challenges and public backlash against the university if it is perceived as complicit in the enforcement of these immigration policies, particularly if campus resources are used to support enforcement activities.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) may need to increase support and resources for students affected by these policies, including legal assistance and counseling services.
- The Office of Diversity and Inclusion might need to develop strategies to address potential impacts on campus climate and ensure that all students feel safe and supported.
- Vanderbilt’s Legal Affairs Office could see an increase in workload related to advising the university on compliance with federal immigration laws and potential legal challenges.
- The Community Engagement Office may need to strengthen partnerships with local organizations to support affected individuals and families in the Nashville area.
Financial Impact
- The university may incur additional costs related to providing support services for affected students and staff, including legal assistance and mental health resources.
- There could be potential financial implications if the university faces legal challenges or public relations issues related to its handling of these immigration policies.
- Changes in the local economy due to the departure of undocumented individuals could indirectly affect the university’s financial situation, particularly if there is a decrease in demand for certain services or a shift in the local labor market.
Relevance Score: 4 (The proclamation presents high risks involving security and major transformations in university operations and community relations.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor the implementation of Project Homecoming to assess its impact on the university’s international student population. Understanding the potential changes in immigration enforcement could help in advising affected students and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
- The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) should prepare to provide guidance and support to international students who may be affected by increased immigration enforcement. This includes offering legal resources and counseling services to help students navigate potential challenges.
- Vanderbilt’s Legal Department should evaluate the legal implications of Project Homecoming on the university’s operations, particularly in terms of compliance with federal immigration laws and the potential impact on student and staff recruitment.
- The Department of Political Science could conduct research on the broader societal and economic impacts of Project Homecoming. This research can provide valuable insights into how such policies affect communities and contribute to public discourse on immigration policy.
- Vanderbilt’s Community Engagement Office should consider outreach initiatives to support local immigrant communities potentially affected by Project Homecoming. This could include partnerships with local organizations to provide resources and support.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to engage in legal analysis and advocacy related to immigration policy. By providing expert commentary and analysis, the law school can influence public policy and contribute to the national conversation on immigration reform.
- Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in social sciences to study the effects of Project Homecoming on local economies and communities. This research could position the university as a leader in understanding the implications of immigration policies.
- The emphasis on immigration enforcement offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies program to develop new courses and research initiatives focused on immigration policy and its impacts. This could attract students interested in careers in public policy and law.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to its impact on international students and compliance with immigration laws.)
Timeline for Implementation
- 60 days after the date of this proclamation (Section 3(b))
Relevance Score: 3
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of State: Tasked with establishing seamless processes for rapid departure, including managing the CBP Home application and providing a concierge service for illegal aliens to depart the country.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Charged with enforcing the proclamation through increased removal operations, coordinating with other agencies, and implementing additional enforcement measures including the deputization of state and local law enforcement officers.
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP): As a component of DHS, CBP is implicitly involved through the “CBP Home” application aimed at facilitating the rapid departure of illegal aliens.
- State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies: These agencies are to be integrated via deputization and contracting to bolster removal operations under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Relevance Score: 2 (3-5 agencies are directly impacted by the proclamation.)
Responsible Officials
- Secretary of State – Directed to collaborate with the Secretary of Homeland Security and other agency heads to create processes (including the CBP Home application and concierge service) for facilitating the rapid departure of illegal aliens, as well as implementing the financial “exit bonus” and nationwide communications campaign.
- Secretary of Homeland Security – Tasked to work with the Secretary of State and other relevant agencies to establish programs for rapid alien departure, supplement enforcement and removal operations by increasing the force with additional personnel, and coordinate penalties for those failing to depart.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect Cabinet-level officials responsible for major immigration and homeland security policies.)