Trump voluntary migrant deportation program: Trump’s $3,000 self-deportation bonus explained: Who qualifies, how to apply, deadline
Under the updated program, the travel of immigrants who use the CBP Home app to self-deport will be fully organized and covered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They may also be eligible to have fines or penalties forgiven for not leaving the country. Officials say this approach is a cost-effective alternative to traditional arrests and removals, which can cost the government about $17,000 per person.
The timing of the campaign was planned for the holiday season; or even DHS to undocumented immigrants for X account “I’M GOING HOME HO HO HO HO HO HO HO HO HO HO HO.” Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized that voluntary self-deportation is a safer and faster option than enforcement actions, saying, “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 come back.”
Approximately 1.9 million immigrants have reportedly self-deported since January 2025, while tens of thousands have used the CBP Home app. While these figures have not been independently verified, Trump advisers argue that each voluntary departure saves a significant amount of taxpayer money and potentially avoids future aid costs of up to $1 million per immigrant.
What does the $3,000 scholarship include?
The new scholarship program covers both the financial bonus and all travel expenses for immigrants who choose to leave the country voluntarily. The CBP Home app, originally created to schedule asylum interviews under the Biden administration, has been redesigned to make voluntary departures easier. DHS officials say this approach is a faster and cheaper alternative to arrests and detentions, which remain costly and resource-intensive.
According to Trump adviser Stephen Miller, each self-deportation could save taxpayers “up to a million dollars or more” in future government benefits. Although the administration has not released a detailed cost breakdown for the increased pay, officials argue that despite the $3,000 payment, the program is much cheaper than traditional enforcement measures.
Are involuntary arrests and deportations still occurring?
Despite incentives for voluntary departures, involuntary arrests and deportations continue to be significant. Since Trump took office in January 2025, ICE has deported more than 335,000 people and detained more than 285,000 people on charges of being in the United States illegally or otherwise being deported. These figures show that the administration is simultaneously pursuing both voluntary and enforcement-based strategies to achieve its immigration goals. Legal experts warn that immigrants who deport themselves may not always return legally. Many people living in the U.S. without status face automatic reentry bans that could last several years. The rarity of waivers raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of the voluntary program.
What other immigration changes are being implemented?
The wage increase coincides with other restrictive immigration measures. The administration has announced plans to re-examine refugee cases from the Biden era and temporarily freeze green card applications for certain groups. Additionally, the expansion of the travel ban from 19 countries to over 30 also affected the legal immigration pathways of individuals from the affected countries.
Officials argue these steps are necessary to prioritize national security and manage migration efficiently. But critics say the measures could create uncertainty for refugees and legal immigrants and put additional pressure on already vulnerable communities.
FAQ:
Q: What is the $3,000 immigrant self-deportation program and who qualifies? A: The Trump administration is offering $3,000 plus paid travel to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the United States before the end of 2025. Travelers use the CBP Home app to schedule departures. Participants may also receive remission for civil fines or overstay penalties.
Q: How does this program affect ICE arrests and immigration enforcement?
A: The purpose of voluntary self-deportation is to reduce enforcement costs, which average $17,000 per immigrant. ICE has deported more than 335,000 people and arrested more than 285,000 since January 2025. The program is accompanied by ongoing sanctions and expanded travel bans covering more than 30 countries.
