n a notable development in U.S. immigration enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a voluntary self-deportation initiative in May 2025 under the second Trump administration. Officially part of Project Homecoming, the program encourages undocumented immigrants to leave the country through the rebranded CBP Home mobile app, offering free one-way commercial flights home and financial incentives.
Program Mechanics and Incentives
Participants register via the CBP Home app, provide necessary details for verification, and receive assistance with travel arrangements. Upon confirmed departure—typically verified through biometrics, flight records, or border exit—the individual receives a stipend, initially set at $1,000. The program temporarily increased this to $3,000 during a “Home for the Holidays” campaign ending December 31, 2025, before adjusting to $2,600 in January 2026 to mark the administration’s first anniversary.
Additional benefits include forgiveness of certain civil fines for failure to depart and deprioritization of enforcement actions for those who comply before leaving. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has repeatedly described the initiative as a “generous gift” from taxpayers, emphasizing that it preserves the possibility of future legal reentry—unlike formal deportation orders, which often impose multi-year bans. She has also issued clear warnings: those who do not take advantage “will be found, arrested, and never allowed to return.”
Cost Efficiency and Scale
DHS highlights significant taxpayer savings. Traditional enforced deportation can cost over $18,000 per person when factoring in arrest, detention, legal proceedings, and removal. In contrast, a self-deportation through the app—covering the flight and stipend—totals roughly $5,100, representing substantial reductions often cited in the 70% range depending on the case. The program draws funding redirected from other sources, including amounts originally allocated for refugee assistance.
Results have been notable. Since January 2025, DHS reports more than 2.2 million voluntary self-departures overall, with tens of thousands—around 72,000 by early 2026—specifically utilizing the CBP Home app and its incentives. Broader figures, including independent departures amid heightened enforcement, approach or exceed 2–3 million total exits when combined with formal removals.
Broader Context and Border Trends
The self-deportation effort complements aggressive interior and border enforcement. Illegal southwest border crossings plummeted in 2025, with monthly apprehensions dropping to historic lows—often under 9,000 and representing 90–95% reductions from prior peaks. Officials credit policies such as strict asylum processing, expedited removals, and zero releases into the U.S. interior for these gains.
Reactions and Criticisms
Supporters praise the program for alleviating court backlogs, reducing detention costs, and providing a humane, orderly off-ramp that eases pressure on public services. They view it as pragmatic enforcement that incentivizes compliance while freeing resources for priority threats like criminals and national security risks.
Critics, including immigrant advocacy groups, argue the incentives may feel coercive given the alternative of arrest and removal. Some question the reliability of stipend disbursement, citing occasional logistical delays or access issues, and contend the program risks overstating its direct impact since many departures occur independently due to enforcement pressure. Concerns also include whether participants receive adequate legal information before agreeing to leave.
As of April 2026, the CBP Home app remains active, with ongoing promotions encouraging eligible individuals to participate. DHS continues to monitor participation rates and overall immigration dynamics. The initiative underscores the administration’s dual emphasis on deterrence at the border and cost-effective interior enforcement, while the national debate persists over balancing security, fiscal responsibility, and humanitarian considerations in immigration policy.
