The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is promoting what it calls the “holiday deal of a lifetime,” offering people living in the United States illegally a free flight and $1,000 if they agree to self-deport.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to crack down on illegal migration. Since taking office in January, his administration has stepped up immigration enforcement in pursuit of a mass deportation agenda, with raids and removals affecting communities across the country. The effort has been expensive—DHS estimates that arresting, detaining and removing someone in the country illegally costs an average of $17,121.
According to the Trump administration, encouraging self-deportation could significantly cut the costs associated with deportation. Officials have also framed self-deportation as a way for migrants to better protect their chances of returning to the U.S. legally in the future.
What To Know
In a ’90s-style advertisement posted on X, DHS said immigrants in the country illegally could claim the “best Cyber Monday deal of the season” through the CBP Home App.
The agency said in a news release that those who want to take advantage of the offer must download the app, submit their information, and DHS “will take care of the rest—including arranging and paying for your travel back home.”
After their return to their home country is confirmed, participants will receive $1,000.
DHS added that those who use the app to self-deport will also be eligible for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties tied to failing to leave the country.
“Use of the CBP Home app also preserves for you the opportunity to possibly come back to the country the legal way,” the release said.
The department first rolled out an incentive for self-deportation in May, saying it would provide travel assistance and $1,000 to people who chose to leave the country voluntarily.
What Happens Next
Newsweek reported in September that data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows a steady increase in the number of immigrants who have self-deported since Trump returned to the White House. Whether those numbers will continue to grow in the coming months remains unclear.
