Under the revised policy, individuals who self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a stipend of USD 3,000, up from the earlier USD 1,000, along with a complimentary flight to their home country.
Washington DC [US], December 23, 2025, BNN Web Staff: The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Monday announced a significant increase in financial incentives for undocumented immigrants who choose to leave the country voluntarily.
Under the revised policy, individuals who self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a stipend of USD 3,000, up from the earlier USD 1,000, along with a complimentary flight to their home country.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the move is aimed at encouraging voluntary departures while reducing the financial burden on American taxpayers.
She stated that since January 2025, approximately 1.9 million undocumented immigrants have voluntarily exited the United States, with tens of thousands making use of the CBP Home programme.
Referring to the holiday season, Noem said the government is temporarily tripling the incentive for those residing in the country illegally, but cautioned that the enhanced benefit would only be available until the end of the year.
She also issued a warning that individuals who fail to opt for voluntary departure would face arrest and removal.
“Those who do not take advantage of this option will be located, detained, and barred from returning,” the DHS Secretary said.
Cracking down on illegal immigration has remained a central policy focus of US President Donald Trump’s administration since he assumed office.
In May, DHS had introduced financial and travel assistance through the CBP Home app to facilitate voluntary return to home countries.
Under the earlier framework, migrants who confirmed their departure through the app received USD 1,000 after their return was verified. DHS has described self-deportation as a “dignified” alternative that allows individuals to avoid enforcement actions by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The department also noted that expanded use of the CBP Home app could cut deportation-related costs by nearly 70 per cent.
As of May 2025, the average expense incurred by the US government to arrest, detain, and remove an undocumented immigrant stood at USD 17,121.
