The Trump administration announced Monday it will offer immigrants in the U.S. illegally free airline tickets and a $1,000 incentive if they sign up for self-deportation and return to their home countries voluntarily. https://t.co/IVFFl5QGkU pic.twitter.com/bMfwvJXf4a
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 5, 2025
“Self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem
The Trump administration on Monday announced a new initiative offering undocumented immigrants up to $1,000 to voluntarily leave the U.S. using the CBP Home app. The stipend will be paid to those who verify their return to their home country through the app’s self-deport feature.
“With limited enforcement resources, this is a more efficient approach,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “Self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.”
The initiative, first introduced in March, is part of broader efforts to reduce the undocumented population amid legal setbacks and resource constraints. According to DHS, deporting one individual costs about $17,121.
Kathleen Bush-Joseph, policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, said: “I fully expect that departures reported through the app will be counted towards the Trump administration’s deportations tally.”
Participation figures remain undisclosed, though DHS cited one departure from Chicago to Honduras using the app.