In what has been called “a historic opportunity,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving undocumented immigrants in the U.S. $1,000 if they sign up for self-deportation and return to their home countries voluntarily.
This was made known in a statement announcing the initiative. The money is to be paid after a migrant returns to their home country—where they have lawful status—which will be confirmed through a self-deportation app used to facilitate their deportation.
Who is eligible for this self-deportation initiative?
The following individuals may be eligible:
- Non-citizens currently in the U.S. without legal status who have previously interacted with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at or between official ports of entry.
- Individuals who were previously granted parole (temporary permission to be in the U.S.) whose authorized stay has expired or is nearing expiration.
In all, applicants are required to be physically present in the U.S. at the time of submitting their intention to leave the country.
Also, to qualify for the benefits, the entire self-deportation process is to be done via the government smartphone app now known as CBP Home which was launched by the Trump administration in March, 2025.
The CBP Home app was previously known as CBP One and used by the administration of former President Joe Biden to allow migrants seeking asylum to set up appointments for screening to allow them to enter the U.S. legally. But the Trump administration has now repurposed it to help streamline its mass deportation agenda.
Are there more benefits besides the $1,000 for immigrants who self-deport?
DHS says undocumented immigrants are to “receive both financial and travel assistance” which means:
- Assistance with booking tickets and/or with obtaining necessary travel documentation.
- Free airline tickets.
- Timely departure arrangement (estimated departure to be within 21 days of approval).
- Extended period for self-funded travelers to depart on their own terms (allowing for time to wrap up work, school, and personal matters).
- Deprioritized for detention and removal by ICE before their scheduled departure (if self-funded) or on their allotted flight or transport (if assistance is required).
- $1,000 stipend paid after departure from the U.S.
- Leaving voluntarily may improve future immigration options.
Is there a deadline to apply for this self-deportation initiative?
Currently there is no deadline to apply. However, undocumented immigrants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to self-deport as soon as possible, before ICE takes action to deport them involuntarily.
Has anyone benefitted from it yet?
A migrant has already returned to Honduras using the self-deportation program to book a flight out of Chicago.
Additionally, DHS said it has helped some migrants obtain plane tickets so they can return to their native countries in the weeks to come.
Can immigrants who self-deport through this initiative return to the U.S.?
Participation in this CBP Home self-deportation scheme may help preserve the option for unlawful migrants to re-enter the United States legally in the future.
Repeatedly, the Trump administration has said that those who participate in the self-deportation campaign may be able to come back to the U.S. legally in the future.
When Trump previewed this initiative in April, he said that the U.S. would consider allowing migrants to return.
“If they’re good, if we want them back in, we’re going to work with them to get them back in as quickly as we can,” he said.
To add to that, DHS in a statement, has said that people who choose to leave “may help preserve” the ability to return legally, however, no specific pathway or program was mentioned to facilitate such a process.
Why the U.S. government is offering assistance to immigrants
According to DHS, the average cost of arresting, detaining and deporting an unlawful immigrant is currently about $17,000. Hence, this assistance scheme would cost less than an actual deportation.
It has further been projected that the use of CBP Home app will decrease the costs of a deportation by about 70 percent.
In the words of DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem, “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App,”
She further added, “This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers. Download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.”
These incentives are part of a broader effort by the present government to push unauthorized immigrants to leave the U.S.
What happens if immigrants fail to use the CBP Home app to voluntarily self-deport?
The Trump administration has portrayed self-deportation as a “dignified way” to leave the U.S., given that the alternative could be a forced deportation after being detained by ICE agents.
The government has attempted to incentivize migrants to depart voluntarily through measures including:
- Threats of significant fines
- Efforts to revoke legal status
- Deportation to detention facilities in Guantanamo Bay and El Salvador.
For every unlawful migrant who remains in the U.S., ICE will continue to prioritize their removal. This process often results in detention and rapid removal, and will result in a three-year, ten-year, or permanent ban on re-entry into the country due to unlawful presence.
Have doubts or questions about your immigration status? Talk to an immigration attorney
If you are undocumented and not sure about how this new initiative might impact you or your family, now is a good time to seek legal support.
Accepting $1,000 to leave the country, although it may seem like a quick fix, may not be your best option. You could be walking away from the life you built with no path back.
What you do not know is that you may have strong legal grounds to remain in the U.S. or be eligible for immigration benefits, but you may never know unless you speak to a qualified immigration attorney.
At The Law Offices of Anne Z. Sedki, we’ve been standing with immigrants for two decades. Our dedicated team helps individuals and families with deportation defense, asylum claims, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, DACA, TPS, and more. We have offices in New York and in New Jersey.
If you are ready to take the next step, contact us today. Call +1-516-540-7948 or fill out this form to schedule a confidential immigration consultation.
Do not let external pressures jeopardize your opportunity to remain in the U.S. legally. Our immigration legal team is available to discuss your situation and help you understand your rights, assess your options, and take action to protect your future.