DHS Rolls Out New Campaign Encouraging Illegal Immigrants to Leave Voluntarily
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A controversial new immigration initiative is making waves as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promotes a nationwide effort to reduce the population of illegal aliens—without direct enforcement.
At the center of the campaign: the CBP Home App.
A Quiet Departure… With a Paycheck?
The program, announced Tuesday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, targets illegal immigrants already living in the U.S., offering them a chance to leave on their own terms. If they comply, they’ll receive a free flight home and up to $1,000 in financial aid.
Even more surprising? They may still qualify to return legally later—something not possible for those forcibly deported.
“Leave Now or Be Banned Forever”
“If they don’t, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return,” Noem warned in a statement, calling this “a final opportunity” for voluntary action.
The initiative, backed by a digital ad campaign in multiple languages, will appear across social media, mobile apps, and community outreach networks. It’s aimed squarely at maximizing awareness without expanding physical enforcement.
Incentives First, Enforcement Later
According to DHS officials, those who ignore the program will face fines, detention, forced removal—and be permanently barred from entering the U.S. again.
The CBP Home App, originally launched during Trump’s first term, was expanded earlier this year to include additional features. This is the first time DHS has tied financial rewards to self-removal.
Internal Numbers Already Climbing
DHS estimates that tens of thousands have used previous versions of the program. Outside research suggests the number may already be nearing 1 million.
Mexico alone has confirmed over 56,000 voluntary returns in recent years, a figure expected to surge with this latest rollout.
No New Laws Required
The program operates under existing immigration laws and requires no new congressional approval. DHS says updated stats on self-deportations will be released by the end of the quarter.
For now, DHS, ICE, and CBP remain aligned on a common mission: reduce the illegal population, restore legal process, and offer one last chance to leave peacefully.
https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1950312406464254245
