The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a controversial new incentive offering undocumented immigrants a $3,000 cash stipend and a free flight home if they agree to voluntarily leave the country before the end of 2025.
The policy, announced in a press release posted on its official website on Monday, December 22, will be implemented through the CBP Home mobile application, a platform operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
According to DHS, undocumented migrants who enrol in the programme before December 31 will not only receive the $3,000 payment but will also have any outstanding civil fines or penalties for overstaying forgiven.
DHS said the initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage “self-deportation” amid intensified immigration enforcement under the current administration.
“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Noem warned that undocumented immigrants who fail to take advantage of the offer risk arrest, forced deportation and permanent bans from re-entering the United States.
“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return,” she said.
“Self-deportation through the CBP Home app is the best gift that an illegal alien can give themselves and their families this holiday season. It’s a fast, free, and easy process: Just download the app, fill out your information, and DHS will take care of the rest – including arranging and paying for your travel back home,” the statement said.
“Those illegal aliens who don’t take advantage of this special offer today have only one alternative: They will be arrested, deported, and they will never be able to return to the United States. The $3,000 incentive, DHS said, is strictly time-limited and will expire at the end of 2025.”
