The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a temporary incentive designed to encourage undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country during the holiday season.
In a statement released Monday, DHS said undocumented migrants who register to self-deport through the CBP Home app before the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend, along with a free, government-funded flight to their home country. Participants will also qualify for forgiveness of civil fines or penalties linked to overstaying or failing to depart the United States.
According to DHS, approximately 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the US since January 2025, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the incentive was temporarily increased for the Christmas period.
“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program,” Noem said. “During the Christmas season, the US taxpayer is tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily—offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but only until the end of the year.”
She warned that migrants who fail to take advantage of the offer would face arrest and permanent restrictions on re-entry. “If they don’t leave, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return,” she said.
The initiative is part of “Project Homecoming,” established in May 2025 under a presidential proclamation by Donald Trump. Initially, the programme offered $1,000 and a free flight to encourage voluntary departure. Funding for flights and stipends was sourced from $250 million repurposed by the State Department from refugee resettlement funds.
DHS described the self-deportation process as fast and free, requiring migrants to submit their details through the CBP Home app, after which the department arranges and covers travel costs.
The department reiterated that undocumented migrants who ignore the programme risk arrest, forced deportation, and permanent bans from re-entering the United States.
