The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a limited-time incentive program for undocumented immigrants, offering a $3,000 cash stipend and a free flight home for those who voluntarily leave the country before the end of the year. The program, framed as a "seasonal goodwill gesture," presents a carrot-and-stick approach to managing immigration.
The Offer and the Warning
Through the CBP Home mobile application, eligible individuals who enroll by December 31 can receive the financial bonus and travel assistance. The DHS also states that using the app qualifies participants for the forgiveness of any civil fines for overstaying their visa or failing to depart earlier.
However, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem paired the offer with a stark warning for those who choose not to participate. "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 stated. The DHS reiterated that those who ignore the incentive will face arrest, deportation, and a permanent ban from re-entering the United States.
A Broader Policy Context
This holiday push builds upon an existing trend of increased voluntary departures. The DHS noted that since January 2025, approximately 1.9 million individuals have chosen to self-deport, with tens of thousands utilizing the CBP Home app specifically.
The program underscores a key administration strategy: to accelerate the removal of undocumented immigrants by encouraging voluntary compliance through incentives, backed by the threat of more severe enforcement. For those considering the offer, the DHS promotes it as "the best gift" they can give themselves this season, promising a process that is "fast, free, and easy" with the government arranging all travel logistics.
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