The United States government is providing undocumented immigrants with complimentary flights and a $2,600 “exit bonus” to leave the country voluntarily through a self-deportation scheme designed to lower enforcement expenses.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has circulated promotional materials, featuring images of landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and sites from Colombia and China, to market the programme to illegal immigrants.
“Receive a FREE flight home and a USD 2,600 exit bonus when you use CBP Home to self-deport,” DHS announced in a post on X.
Project Homecoming, as the initiative is called, was introduced in May of last year following the commencement of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The program encourages migrants to declare their intention to leave voluntarily via the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app, provide personal information, and gain access to travel arrangements along with the financial reward. DHS figures show that more than 2.2 million illegal immigrants have utilised the scheme since its implementation in January 2025.
The department has emphasised the considerable financial benefits of the initiative. While a single forced removal costs $18,245, a voluntary departure processed through the CBP Home App costs approximately $5,100, even after factoring in the $2,600 payment – leading to savings exceeding $13,000 per person.
According to official communications, the programme enables migrants to “return home as regular travelers – without arrest, detention, or restraints. It’s a safe, orderly alternative that provides assistance and flexibility, not fear,” as stated on the website.
Utilising the CBP Home app, DHS explains, “allows illegal aliens to plan their return, including having an opportunity to depart in a timely manner – allowing illegal aliens to wrap up work, school, and personal matters and organise their return in an orderly and lawful way.”
The payment amount has been adjusted several times since the programme began. Initially set at $1,000 in May of last year, it was raised to $3,000 during the December holiday period for those departing before the new year, before being set at its current $2,600 level in January of this year.
