A new report highlights that tens of thousands of individuals in the U.S. without legal status have opted to voluntarily depart using the CBP Home app. Originally designed for scheduling asylum interviews during the Biden administration, the app was revamped under President Trump to facilitate and encourage self-deportation.
Since the relaunch in March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that many have digitally filed their intention to leave. Users receive a $1,000 exit bonus, travel assistance, and exemption from fines tied to immigration violations.
The administration has promoted the app through a high-profile campaign warning that failure to voluntarily depart could lead to fines of nearly $1,000 per day, detention, and permanent bans on reentry.
Conservative immigration experts argue that incentivizing self-deportation eases the burden on U.S. law enforcement and reduces illegal residency, while critics caution that limited uptake suggests deep-rooted ties and practical barriers persist for many undocumented residents.
