Enhanced Self-Deportation Incentives: $3,000 Bonus and Free Airfare Offered by DHS
The Department of Homeland Security has increased the financial incentive for undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the United States through self-deportation. The exit bonus has been raised from $1,000 to $3,000 for those who register with the U.S. government and depart by the end of the calendar year. Participants who leave by December 31, 2025, will also receive free airfare to their home countries and be exempt from certain civil fines or penalties associated with staying illegally in the U.S. The process involves using the CBP Home app, which is based on the Biden administration's CBP One platform.
Under the Trump administration's policy, migrants are required to use the app to indicate their intention to depart. If deemed eligible, they will receive travel assistance and the $3,000 stipend once their departure is confirmed by the U.S. government. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that those who do not take advantage of the incentive will face consequences and will not be allowed to return to the U.S.
The CBP One app was initially designed to schedule asylum appointments but has been repurposed under the Trump administration to facilitate voluntary departure for individuals without legal status. The bonus stipend is part of a holiday season campaign to expedite removals and reduce taxpayer costs, as travel support is generally more cost-effective than traditional detention and deportation operations. The average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an undocumented migrant is estimated to be around $17,000.
Participants in the self-deportation program are given lower priority for ICE arrest and detention as long as they show progress in leaving the U.S. However, specific guidelines on the duration of this protection and how compliance is assessed have not been disclosed. While ICE and CBP arrests are visible aspects of the immigration crackdown, the Trump administration also aims to encourage self-deportation of families and unaccompanied children who entered the country unlawfully.
In a separate initiative, migrant teenagers were offered a $2,500 stipend to voluntarily return to their home countries. Since January 2025, approximately 1.9 million undocumented immigrants have voluntarily self-deported, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home program. However, detailed data on the number of individuals receiving government-funded travel or stipends versus those departing independently has not been publicly released. The program aims to incentivize voluntary departure and reduce the burden on immigration enforcement resources.