The Department of Homeland Security’s new proposal offers illegal immigrants $1,000 and free flights home if they voluntarily leave the United States, but critics warn the program may be a deceptive trap.
Top Takeaways
- DHS is offering $1,000 stipends and free airfare to illegal immigrants who voluntarily deport themselves
- Self-deportation would be processed through a modified app called CBP Home
- The government estimates the program will reduce deportation costs by approximately 70% compared to traditional enforcement
- Participants are told they may preserve options for legal re-entry, but critics call this misleading
- Those who miss this opportunity may face tougher deportation processes and restrictions on future entry
New Incentive Program for Self-Deportation
The Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday a new initiative offering illegal immigrants $1,000 and free airfare if they voluntarily leave the United States. The program enables migrants without legal authorization to use the CBP Home app to announce their intention to depart, making them a lower priority for detention while they prepare to leave. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the practical benefits of the approach for both the government and migrants themselves, stating, “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.”
The program requires participants to confirm their arrival in their home country through the app before receiving the $1,000 payment. DHS reports that traditional enforcement—involving arrest, detention, and removal—costs an average of $17,121 per migrant. Officials claim the voluntary departure program will reduce these expenses by approximately 70%, representing significant taxpayer savings while addressing the immigration backlog.
Administration Strategy and Implementation
The CBP Home app is a modified version of the CBPOne app originally created during the Biden administration for asylum requests at the US-Mexico border. Now repurposed, it serves as the technological backbone of the self-deportation initiative. DHS has already reported success stories, including an immigrant who received a flight ticket from Chicago to Honduras through the program, demonstrating its operational capacity.
President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about the program, describing it as offering migrants “a beautiful flight back to where they came from.” The administration has also indicated that the Supreme Court’s support will be crucial for broader deportation efforts. Trump has emphasized that migrants who choose not to participate in voluntary departure will face stricter enforcement measures and potentially permanent barriers to future entry.
BREAKING: DHS has announced a new "self-deportation" plan for illegals where they will receive a free plane ticket home, as well as a $1,000 stipend once they're confirmed to have left the country.
Right now it costs $17,000 to arrest, detain, and deport an illegal vs $4,500… pic.twitter.com/uga34mxtH4
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 5, 2025
Concerns and Criticisms
While the administration presents the program as beneficial for both taxpayers and migrants, critics have raised significant concerns about its implementation and messaging. Some immigration advocates characterize the initiative as deceptive, potentially worsening the legal position of participants who might not fully understand the consequences of self-deportation. The controversy centers particularly on promises regarding future legal entry possibilities.
“It is an incredibly cruel bit of deception for DHS to be telling people that if they leave they ‘will maintain the ability to return to the US legally in the future’,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council.
Immigration policy experts point out that many undocumented immigrants who self-deport would likely face multi-year or permanent bars on returning legally to the United States under existing immigration law. The program aligns with the broader “self-deportation” strategy of the Trump administration, which aims to make conditions difficult for undocumented immigrants in order to encourage voluntary departure without direct enforcement action in every case.
Economic and Practical Considerations
The financial calculations behind the program present a stark contrast between traditional enforcement and voluntary departure. With DHS estimating that arresting, detaining, and removing immigrants costs approximately $17,121 per person, the $1,000 payment plus airfare offers substantial savings. The initiative represents a pragmatic approach to managing the millions of illegal immigrants currently in the United States with limited enforcement resources.
For migrants considering the program, DHS has emphasized that those who use the CBP Home app and show progress toward leaving will be deprioritized for detention and removal. This creates a practical incentive beyond the financial payment, potentially allowing undocumented individuals time to arrange their affairs before departure rather than facing sudden arrest and detention.
