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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has tripled the financial incentive offered to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the country, increasing the so-called “exit bonus” from $1,000 to $3,000 under its self-deportation program.
Under the updated policy, migrants who register with the federal government and depart the United States by the end of the calendar year will qualify for the payment. DHS said eligible participants who leave by Dec. 31, 2025, will also receive free airfare to their home countries and may have certain civil fines or penalties related to unlawful presence waived.
Participation in the program requires migrants to use the CBP Home smartphone app, a rebranded version of the Biden-era CBP One platform, which the Trump administration has repurposed to facilitate voluntary departures.
How the Program Works
Migrants are instructed to signal their intent to leave the U.S. through the CBP Home app. DHS officials say that once eligibility is confirmed, participants will receive travel assistance, and the $3,000 stipend will be issued after the government verifies that they have exited the country.
The app, which was originally created to schedule asylum appointments, now operates as a self-deportation tracking tool. Migrants without legal status can use it to report and monitor their departure process.
Warning From DHS Leadership
In a statement to CBS News, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that undocumented migrants who fail to take advantage of the temporary incentive will face enforcement action.
“They will be found, arrested, and will never return to the United States,” Noem said.
Cost-Saving Measure
DHS said the increased stipend is part of a holiday-season push to accelerate removals while reducing costs to taxpayers. According to the agency, providing travel assistance is significantly cheaper than traditional enforcement.
As of May 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) estimated the average cost to arrest, detain, and deport an undocumented migrant at roughly $17,000.
Under the self-deportation initiative, participants are deprioritized for ICE arrest and detention as long as they demonstrate “meaningful strides” toward leaving the United States.
Broader Immigration Strategy
While ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrests remain the most visible elements of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, the administration has also expanded policies designed to encourage voluntary departures.
These efforts include targeting families and unaccompanied children who entered the country without authorization, urging them to leave on their own rather than face forced removal.
