‘GET OUT NOW’ -Trump MakesAnnouncement NO ONESaw Coming

In a notable change in immigration policy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed a new voluntary self-deportation program on May 14, 2025. This initiative provides undocumented immigrants with complimentary commercial flights and a stipend of $1,000 to promote voluntary departure from the United States.

The DHS claims that this program could decrease deportation expenses by as much as 70% in comparison to conventional enforcement strategies. To take part, migrants are required to use the CBP Home app, with the stipend being issued only after their departure is confirmed.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the program as the “safest and most cost-effective” choice, emphasizing that it permits the possibility of future legal reentry.

Proponents of the program emphasize its potential to ease immigration backlogs and lower taxpayer costs. Conversely, detractors contend that it may unintentionally reward illegal entry and question its efficacy in tackling the broader issues of immigration enforcement.

This policy arises during a significant reduction in illegal border crossings, which is attributed to renewed enforcement actions under the Trump administration. The DHS asserts that the self-deportation initiative complements these efforts by offering a humane and financially responsible alternative to traditional deportation processes.

As the program progresses, its effects on immigration dynamics and public perception will be closely observed. The interplay between enforcement, cost-effectiveness, and humanitarian considerations continues to influence the national conversation on immigration policy.

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a sweeping new initiative aimed at dramatically increasing “self-deportations,” offering a range of unprecedented incentives including financial bonuses, free travel, and even the forgiveness of fines for undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the United States. The program, dubbed “Project Homecoming,” leverages a revamped mobile app to streamline the departure process.

Unveiled in early July, the core of this major DHS push is the CBP Home Mobile App. The application, now available in multiple languages including Simplified Chinese and Hindi, allows individuals in the U.S. without legal status to notify the government of their intent to depart voluntarily.

“There is ZERO excuse for you to stay in the United States if you are an illegal alien,” stated DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a public announcement on July 3. “The United States taxpayer is generously offering those in this country illegally $1,000 and a free flight home.”

Under Project Homecoming, participants who register through the app and complete their self-deportation can receive:

A $1,000 exit bonus, disbursed upon confirmation of arrival in their home country.
Cost-free travel to their country of origin or another country where they have lawful status.
Forgiveness of any civil fines for failure to depart after a final order of removal or a voluntary departure order.
Travel assistance, including help with arranging travel for family members or obtaining valid travel documents.
De-prioritization for enforcement actions, detention, and removal by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) once their intent to depart is submitted and vetted.
The potential to improve future immigration options, though lawyers warn this remains largely undefined in current law.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has strongly endorsed the initiative, stating that the app offers “the option to leave now, and self deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream.” She also issued a stern warning: “If they don’t, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return.”

The administration views this as a cost-effective and orderly alternative to forced removals, which can be expensive and resource-intensive. Early figures from Project Homecoming’s initial charter flights, such as a May 19 flight that returned 64 participants to Honduras and Colombia, highlight the logistical support being offered.

However, immigration advocates and legal experts have voiced significant concerns. While acknowledging the offer of financial incentives and free travel may appeal to those living in fear, many warn that the program carries serious risks. Lawyers emphasize that “self-deportation” can still trigger long-term bars to re-entry into the U.S. under existing immigration law, despite DHS’s promises of “preserved potential opportunity” for future legal return.

“Vague promises of ‘documentation’ do not alleviate the concern that noncitizens may trigger consequences by exiting the country or failing to attend hearings after self-deporting mid-proceedings,” stated Amelia Dagen, a senior attorney at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, in June.

Despite these warnings, DHS continues its aggressive promotion of the CBP Home app through nationwide advertisements, both broadcast and online, signaling a determined effort to encourage a significant increase in voluntary departures as a key component of the administration’s overall immigration enforcement strategy.