On March 10, 2025, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, announced the launch of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection app (CBP Home), which features a self-deportation option for undocumented immigrants in the United States to leave voluntarily.
The CBP Home app isn’t altogether a new one but an upgrade to the CBP One app. The CBP One app was used during Joe Biden’s administration to allow nearly one million immigrants from Mexico apply for asylum in the U.S. Trump halted the operations of the CBP One app on his first day in office, and has now replaced it with the CBP Home app.
Through the CBP Home app, Trump incentivizes immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, as opposed to being deported by immigration authorities, so that they may have the opportunity to return legally in the future.
This latest development has left thousands of undocumented immigrants in a frenzy, uncertain about their future, and unsure of what to do. If that sounds like you and you would like to speak to an experienced immigration attorney right now, schedule a consultation to go over your options.
Below, you will find more information about what this turn of events mean for you.
What is Self-deportation?
The term “Self-deportation” isn’t new. Although the term gained popularity during Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, self-deportation has been a long-standing provision in U.S. immigration law.
Self-deportation is a legal option available to a noncitizen facing deportation or removal from the U.S. It involves voluntarily leaving the country at one’s own expense, without a formal deportation order.
In essence, instead of being forcibly deported, an undocumented immigrant can opt to depart voluntarily by a designated date set by an immigration judge or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
As in the case of CBP Home, Trump has provided an alternative to a formal removal order, allowing immigrants to exit the U.S on their own terms.
Benefits of Self-deportation
The benefits of self-deportation are as follows:
- No risk of arrest or detention
- No formal deportation proceedings
- Control over when and how to leave within stipulated time for departure
- No official deportation order on immigration record
- No ban on future reentry into the U.S.
That being said, self-deportation does not necessarily shield immigrants from all potential consequences. Moreover, this option isn’t available to everyone.
Specifically, the following groups are excluded: felons, immigrants who have attempted to enter the U.S. without authorization, beneficiaries of the Visa Waiver Program, and those with a previous self-deportation record.
Can you come back to the U.S. if you Self-deport?
Yes, you can come back to the U.S legally, after self-deportation. Unlike being removed from the U.S. through a deportation order, self-deportation doesn’t impose a permanent reentry ban.
In Noem’s words, immigrants who self-deport “may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream. If they don’t, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.”
How soon after Self-deportation can you return to the U.S.?
Although there isn’t a permanent bar on reentry into the U.S. for an immigrant who self-deports, you cannot just turn right back around. How soon you’ll be able to return depends on the length of time you remained in the U.S. without proper documentation.
Before you’re considered to be granted entry into the U.S., the days of your unauthorized stay, also called “unlawful presence,” before your self-deportation are counted, which starts counting right after your status expires, or after you entered illegally without inspection.
The bars placed on such unlawful presence are called the “three- and ten-year bars”. These bars represent specific periods during which an individual is prohibited from reentering the U.S..
If you overstayed more than 180 days (six months) before leaving, you may not be allowed back for three years. While if you overstayed more than a year, you’re barred from coming back for 10 years.
If you don’t fall under the designated bars, you can initiate the process of returning to the U.S. immediately after your self-deportation.
Exceptions to unlawful presence bars
Certain periods do not count as unlawful presence in the U.S.:
● Time spent while an asylum or adjustment of status application is pending
● Days spent in the U.S. while under the age of 18
● Periods of authorized stay, such as DACA or other permitted statuses
● In some cases, overstays related to F or J student statuses
Additional exceptions exist, and an experienced immigration attorney can help determine your unlawful presence duration.
What are your options for coming back to the U.S. after Self-deportation?
You have two main reentry options after self-deportation:
● Application for a temporary visa i.e student, work, tourist,
● or application for permanent residence i.e green card.
Before anything else, the first step is to apply for permission to reenter the U.S. Generally, if a bar for unlawful presence has been placed on you, you cannot come back to the country till your bar expires.
Surprisingly, you may re-enter the U.S. before your bar expires. The type of waiver you’ll need depends on whether you’re applying for a temporary visa or green card. If it’s a temporary visa, you could apply for a D3 waiver. If it’s a green card, you may be able to apply for a I-601 waiver.
Either of these waivers allows you to bypass the mandatory waiting period, enabling you to reenter the U.S. sooner.
Are there alternatives to Self-deportation?
If you do not wish to self-deport, you can opt for any of these alternatives:
- Cancellation of Removal
If you’ve been served a deportation order, you can apply to have it canceled. However, it is subject to numerous processes and requirements. - Adjustment of Status
This allows you to apply for a green card without leaving the U.S. In other words, you become a lawful permanent resident without returning to your home country. - Asylum
If you don’t want to self-deport because you fear facing persecution in your home country, you can apply for asylum. However, you generally must file an asylum application within one year of entering the U.S. - Immigration Bonds
Instead of self-deportation, you can post an immigration bond if detained by immigration authorities. This bond helps you secure temporary release while awaiting court proceedings. Immigration bonds can be paid on your behalf by any person, as long as they have legal status in the U.S.
Talk to an experienced Immigration Attorney before you make a decision
It is crucial that you talk to an immigration attorney if you don’t know which option is best for you or before you make a choice.
American immigration laws and processes are undoubtedly complex and overwhelming. An immigration attorney walks you through what options are available to you and which is best suited for your case.
This is all we are about at The Law Office of Anne Z. Sedki. We understand that you’re at a crossroads right now and it seems like self-deportation is the only choice you’ve got, but our experienced immigration attorneys will make absolutely sure that you have exhausted all possibilities for staying in the U.S. legally before settling on leaving.
Our team is dedicated to listening to your needs, addressing your questions and concerns, and creating a legal strategy tailored to your goals for coming to the U.S..
We assist with various matters like asylum, deportation defense, and green card. Fill out this form to schedule a consultation so we can get started helping you fulfill your American dream.
Self-deportation is not always the best option. Speak with our experts before making any decisions.
Conclusion
Trump’s CBP Home app introduces a self-deportation option for undocumented immigrants in the U.S. While this may seem like a quick fix, we encourage you to consult an expert to explore all possible alternatives, before making a decision.
Self-deportation can leave you separated from your loved ones, causing emotional and psychological distress. Do not make the decision until you exhaust your options. The decision to self-deport is a critical one and should not be taken lightly.
So whether you are worried about self-deporting or you are trying to make your case for reentry, contact The Law Office of Anne Z. Sedki.
