US Offers $3,000 Incentive for Undocumented Immigrants to Self-Deport Voluntarily

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under the Trump administration, has announced a temporary increase in its voluntary self-deportation stipend, tripling the standard amount from $1,000 to $3,000. This “holiday season” incentive targets undocumented immigrants who agree to leave the United States by December 31, 2025, as part of broader efforts to encourage voluntary departures amid ongoing mass deportation initiatives.

Program Details and Eligibility

The enhanced offer includes:

• A $3,000 cash stipend (paid after confirmed departure).
• Free government-arranged travel (typically airfare) to the individual’s home country.
• Potential waiver of certain civil fines or penalties associated with unlawful presence.

Participation requires registering and processing through the CBP Home app (a rebranded version of the previous CBP One app, now focused on voluntary departure tracking). Users select options to indicate intent to leave, provide personal details, and verify exit.

This is a limited-time promotion—after December 31, 2025, the incentive reverts to the standard $1,000 (or potentially lower, based on prior policies). The program, initially launched in May 2025 with the $1,000 base stipend, aims to reduce enforcement costs, as DHS estimates forced deportations average around $17,000 per person.

DHS reports that since January 2025, approximately 1.9 million undocumented immigrants have voluntarily self-deported, with tens of thousands utilizing the CBP Home app. These figures have not been independently verified in full, but official data indicates over 600,000 forced deportations in the same period, totaling more than 2.5 million removals overall.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the urgency: “Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”

Implications for Visa Holders, Travelers, and Immigrants

• For Undocumented Individuals: Voluntary departure via this program may preserve some future legal re-entry options (unlike formal deportation, which often imposes permanent bars). However, immigration attorneys caution that unlawful presence over 365 days typically triggers 3- or 10-year re-entry bans under existing law, and waivers are rarely granted. Self-deportation does not erase immigration history.
• Travel and Visa Impact: Enhanced enforcement could lead to increased scrutiny at ports of entry, airports, and for visa renewals. Those with pending applications or overstays should consult professionals immediately.
• Broader Context: This incentive aligns with the administration’s goal of record deportations (targeting 1 million annually), supported by expanded funding, new detention facilities, and hiring of additional agents. Non-voluntary removals continue in parallel.

Cautions and Criticisms

Immigration advocates and lawyers have labeled the program “misleading,” warning that promises of future legal return are not guaranteed. Reports indicate some participants face delays in payment or unexpected legal consequences. It is not equivalent to court-ordered voluntary departure, which offers stronger protections.

Prospective participants should:

• Seek advice from accredited immigration attorneys (not notarios or unauthorized consultants).
• Avoid sharing information without understanding risks, as app registration creates a government record.

This development highlights the administration’s dual approach: incentives for voluntary exits alongside aggressive enforcement.