DHS Announces $2,600 Cash Bonus and Free Flights for Voluntary Departure
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new incentive program described as the “CBP Home deal,” offering a $2,600 exit bonus and cost-free airfare to undocumented noncitizens who agree to self-deport immediately. Promoted through social media channels with the slogan “Homesick?”, the initiative encourages individuals to utilize the CBP Home Mobile App to arrange their own repatriation.
According to DHS officials, the program is positioned as a cost-saving alternative to enforced removals. Data released by the agency indicates that a single self-deportation under this model costs taxpayers approximately $5,100, significantly less than the estimated $18,245 required to arrest, detain, and deport an individual through standard enforcement channels. The offer includes forgiveness of outstanding civil fines for failure to depart and promises that participants can leave “safely and travel normally” without the immediate restraints of federal custody. This current push follows similar pilot programs from late 2025, where holiday stipends were temporarily raised to $3,000 to drive registration numbers.
Despite the financial incentives, the program has drawn criticism regarding its marketing tone and the implications of the registration process. Immigration advocates argue that the casual “Homesick?” messaging belies the serious safety and economic concerns that drive migration, while the underlying threat—that those who do not accept the offer will be prioritized for arrest and permanently barred from future legal entry—raises questions about the voluntary nature of the agreement. Legal experts also caution that using the CBP Home app requires submitting biometric data and location details, which could be utilized for enforcement operations against applicants who fail to complete the departure process.
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