Ramirez, Pressley Investigate “Project Homecoming” Fraud and Corruption

Washington, DC - Today, Congressmembers Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Ranking Member of a Subcommittee in the Committee of Homeland Security, and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) led 22 colleagues in opening an investigation into the fraud, corruption, and coercion of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) "Project Homecoming" following reports of immigrants who have been stranded by DHS, defrauded of guaranteed logistical or financial support, and robbed of their promised payments after leaving the United States.

In the Congressional inquiry addressed to the DHS, the U.S. Department of State, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Members shared the story of Yessica Torres, an immigrant from Venezuela who was stranded by DHS after registering through the CBP Home App.

In May, President Donald Trump established "Project Homecoming" to encourage immigrants to self-deport by "providing support" with making travel arrangements, purchasing departure flights, preserving the chance to return legally to the United States, and a post-departure payment, initially $1,000 and later increased to $2,600. It is unclear how many people have departed through the program and have received the promised funds.

"While coercing departures, especially if immigrants are pursuing lawful claims for asylum and other immigration benefits, is repugnant, a credible repatriation support program would deliver on its promised benefits, humanely support immigrants transitioning out of the United States, embrace transparency, and be free of any allegations of intimidation and coercion," wrote the lawmakers. "By not meeting any of those minimum standards, Project Homecoming proves it is nothing more than a white nationalist, xenophobic scheme meant to defraud our immigrant neighbors and abusively compel them to leave their families, friends, and the communities they have lived in for decades."

The agencies must provide an answer by September 14, 2026. Additionally, the Members requested a briefing from the State Department on its role in funding, overseeing, and facilitating the travel of immigrants who lack access to necessary travel documents.

The letter was also signed by Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clark (NY-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Reps. Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), James McGovern (MA-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Chelli Pingree (ME-01), Emily Randall (WA-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).

For the full letter, CLICK HERE.