Undocumented migrants who register and leave the U.S. by year-end can get $3,000, airfare, and waived penalties under the DHS self-deportation plan.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sharply increased the cash incentive for undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country, raising the so-called “exit bonus” from $1,000 to $3,000. The move is part of a broader push to accelerate voluntary departures while lowering enforcement costs.
Migrants who register with the government and depart the United States by December 31, 2025, are eligible for the payment. The program also provides free airfare home and waives certain civil fines and penalties for those who use the rebranded CBP Home smartphone app to coordinate their exit.
The CBP Home app, adapted from the previous CBP One platform, allows migrants to signal intent to leave and track their departure. DHS officials said travel assistance and the $3,000 stipend are provided after the government confirms migrants have exited the country.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that undocumented migrants who ignore the program risk being “found,” arrested, and permanently barred from returning to the United States.
The initiative reflects a two-pronged strategy by the Trump administration, combining financial incentives with enforcement measures. DHS estimates that assisting a migrant’s departure through this program costs far less than the average $17,000 expense of arrest, detention, and formal removal.
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Since January 2025, DHS reports that approximately 1.9 million undocumented immigrants have voluntarily left the U.S., including tens of thousands through the CBP Home platform. Independent verification of these figures is not available, and detailed data on stipend distribution have not been released.
The program also targets specific groups, including unaccompanied minors. In October, DHS announced a $2,500 stipend for migrant teenagers returning voluntarily to their home countries.
While arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection remain a central part of the administration’s immigration strategy, officials say voluntary program participants are deprioritized for enforcement as long as they show “meaningful strides” toward departure.
Analysts say the policy provides a cost-efficient alternative to traditional deportation, while signaling the administration’s intent to tighten control over U.S. borders. Critics, however, warn that lack of transparency and independent oversight could complicate its effectiveness and fairness.
The expanded self-deportation program underscores the administration’s emphasis on combining incentives, technology, and enforcement to manage migration amid ongoing domestic and international scrutiny.