News
Accept Free Flights, $3,000 Cash To Leave Or Risk Arrest – US Tells Illegal Immigrants
The United States government has announced a Christmas self-deportation incentive, offering undocumented immigrants free flight tickets and a $3,000 cash bonus to voluntarily leave the country before the end of the year.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Monday, December 22, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which warned that undocumented immigrants who ignore the offer risk arrest, forced deportation, and a lifetime ban from re-entering the United States.
According to the DHS, undocumented immigrants who enrol in the programme before December 31 will receive fully funded travel arrangements to their home countries, along with a $3,000 stipend.
“Illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home,” the department said.
READ ALSO:
The initiative is being implemented through the CBP Home mobile application, which allows undocumented immigrants to register for voluntary departure. Participants will also benefit from waived civil fines and penalties related to overstaying or previous failure to leave the country.
DHS said the policy has already yielded significant results, with a marked increase in voluntary departures.
“Since January 2025, approximately 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme,” the statement said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the initiative as a temporary goodwill gesture tied to the Christmas season, noting that the incentive had been tripled for the holidays.
READ ALSO:
“During the Christmas season, the US taxpayer is generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily, offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but only until the end of the year,” Noem said.
She warned that those who fail to take advantage of the offer would face strict enforcement measures.
“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport. If they don’t, we will find them, arrest them, and they will never return,” she said.
The DHS assured interested migrants that the process is straightforward and fully handled by the government.
“Self-deportation through the CBP Home app is fast, free, and easy. DHS will take care of everything, including travel arrangements,” the department said.
The agency reiterated that undocumented immigrants who ignore the programme would be subject to arrest, forced removal, and permanent restrictions on future entry into the United States.
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
-
Politics5 days ago2027: Tinubu’s Re-election May Put An End To Nigeria — Baba Ahmed Warns
-
Business4 days agoJUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Wike Picks Alabo George For Rivers Governorship
-
Politics4 days agoNDC Speaks On Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Joining Party
-
News4 days ago2027: Pastor Adeboye Speaks On Nigeria’s Next President
-
Politics2 days agoJUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up
-
News4 days agoOPINION: Why South Africans Murder Nigerians In Cold Blood
-
Business2 days agoWhy We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO
-
Entertainment4 days agoAgain, Tragedy Hits Nollywood As Another Actress Dies
-
Politics3 days ago
Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Formally Join NDC, Warn Members Against Litigation
