The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new initiative under the Trump administration offering $1,000 stipends and travel assistance to undocumented immigrants who voluntary leave the United States. The program, aimed at reducing the high cost of forced deportations – estimated at around $17,000 per person – encourages migrants to depart on their own terms, potentially saving the government up to 70% per case.
Participants are directed to use the newly launched CBP Home app, a rebranded version of the Biden-era CBP One platform, to schedule their departures. DHS states that those who self-deport may avoid detention and could preserve their eligibility for legal reentry in the future, though the agency did not outline a specific pathway for returning.
This effort is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to ramp up immigration enforcement through cooperation with several federal agencies, including the Justice Department, IRS, and U.S. Postal Service. Since January 20, 152,000 individuals have been deported under the current administration, compared to 195,000 over a similar period last year under President Biden.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that self-deportation is the “safest and most cost-effective” option for undocumented individuals facing removal. However, immigration lawyers have raised concerns about the potential misuse of persona data collected through the app and the lack of legal protection or clear benefits for those who choose to leave voluntarily.
DHS confirmed that the first migrant to utilize the travel assistance recently flew from Chicago to Honduras, with additional departures scheduled throughout the month. If you or a loved one has any questions about this new initiative, contact the attorneys at Gonzalez Olivieri LLC today.
References:
Hesson, Ted. “US offers $1,000 stipend to encourage migrants to self-deport” Reuters. May 5, 2025.
Rubin, April. “Trump administration to pay $1,000 to self-deporting undocumented immigrants” Axios. May 5, 2025.
