The Trump administration is expanding its efforts to encourage illegal immigrants to leave the United States voluntarily, announcing that individuals who choose to “self-deport” will have their fines for ignoring previous deportation orders forgiven.
The Department of Homeland Security unveiled the latest policy this week, adding to a growing list of incentives designed to promote voluntary departure. These include a free flight back to one’s home country and a $1,000 stipend. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement, “If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home.”
“If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return,” Noem warned. “If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way.”
The administration has repurposed the CBP One app, which was used during the Biden presidency to facilitate mass asylum applications. It has now been replaced by the CBP Home app, which allows illegal immigrants to “Submit Intent to Depart.” The app enables users to provide information on their plans to leave the country and verify once they have done so.
Earlier this year, US Citizenship and Immigration Services launched a registry requiring illegal immigrants to submit personal data or face penalties. Fines can reach nearly $1,000 per day for failing to leave after receiving a deportation order. According to DHS, over 9,000 fine notices have been issued so far, totaling nearly $3 billion in penalties.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” Noem said back in May. “DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App.”
