The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched an unprecedented program that incentivizes illegal immigrants to voluntarily depart the United States by offering them a stipend of $1,000 along with commercial flight tickets. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that individuals interested in this option can register via the CBP Home app and file a notice of their intent to leave. Upon confirmation of their departure, a $1,000 payment will be issued.
The move is part of a broader strategy under the Trump administration to manage illegal immigration more effectively while lowering taxpayer expenses. The DHS estimates that this new self-deportation method will save approximately 70 percent per case compared to the existing removal process, which costs an average of over $17,000 per individual. With the new plan, the cost per person is expected to be about $4,500.
Secretary Noem emphasized the benefits of the voluntary departure initiative, stating, “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.” She also highlighted the safety aspect for both law enforcement and the immigrants, as well as the fiscal savings for U.S. taxpayers.
Internal data suggests that the program is already showing promising results. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that the DHS had already facilitated the return of an illegal immigrant from Chicago to Honduras as a test case, and thousands of illegal immigrants have signed up for the program since its inception, with numbers expected to rise in the weeks ahead.
The self-deportation initiative complements the Trump administration's wider enforcement actions. So far, in 2025, DHS has made over 158,000 arrests of illegal aliens, including more than 600 alleged members of the Venezuelan-based Tren de Aragua gang. A significant proportion of these arrests, about 75 percent, involved individuals who had existing criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.
Secretary Noem has been a vocal advocate for the administration's stringent immigration policies. Her recent visit to the CECOT maximum-security prison in El Salvador made national headlines, where she delivered a stern message to criminal illegal aliens to leave the U.S. or face severe consequences. This visit underscores the administration's commitment to a strict stance on illegal immigration.
The DHS is also launching a public awareness campaign to promote the CBP Home app and encourage voluntary participation. As the policy is implemented, close monitoring of engagement levels will occur, using the program as a strategic tool to focus enforcement efforts on individuals who pose a higher risk.
While it remains to be seen if this approach will signify a long-term shift in immigration enforcement, the early data indicates an uptick in participation from illegal individuals, suggesting a potential change in how immigration laws are enforced in the future.