DHS has a nearly billion-dollar plan to get immigrants to ‘self deport.’ Just 72,000 people have signed up so far
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that DHS launched Project Homecoming, a $915 million program offering up to $2,600 and free flights to encourage voluntary departures.
- An internal DHS document reviewed by CNN reportedly shows about 72,000 people have used the CBP Home app to enroll, far below the administration’s broader claim of 2.2 million “self-deports.”
- Most app users were already in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention, raising questions about how many departures the program actually caused.
- Critics say many who left would likely have done so anyway; DHS argues the incentives save taxpayer money compared with formal removals.
- Practical impact: using the app may notify authorities and could be attractive only to some detainees or those seeking to avoid a formal removal order.
Overview
It has been reported that DHS (Department of Homeland Security) rolled out Project Homecoming with an accompanying CBP Home app (CBP = U.S. Customs and Border Protection) and a $915 million budget to encourage undocumented immigrants to leave the United States voluntarily. The program pays stipends — initially $1,000, later increased to $2,600 — and offers free flights home. President Trump and the administration have promoted the program as a centerpiece of a broader “self-deport” strategy they say has led to millions leaving the country.
Data, costs and questions
It has been reported that an internal DHS document reviewed by CNN shows about 72,000 people have enrolled via the app as of this month, and that most of those who signed up were already in ICE detention. That figure stands in contrast to the administration’s public tally of 2.2 million people said to have “self-deported,” a number that DHS has not publicly broken down. DHS maintains that incentivized departures cost thousands less per person than traditional deportations. Critics, including David Bier of the Cato Institute, argue that many of the people leaving would have done so without government payments — pointing out that hundreds of thousands already depart voluntarily each year with no government expenditure.
Legal context and what it means for migrants
Voluntary departure is a longstanding legal option that allows noncitizens to leave without a removal (deportation) order; avoiding a removal can preserve certain immigration options and consequences, but eligibility and long-term effects are case-specific and sometimes complex. For someone deciding now: enrolling in Project Homecoming or using the CBP Home app will register your departure with DHS, which some migrants avoid for fear of future immigration consequences or simply mistrust. For detainees, the offer may be a faster route out of custody but could carry trade-offs versus contesting removal in immigration court. Anyone considering the program should consult a qualified immigration lawyer or accredited representative to understand penalties, potential bars to reentry, and how voluntary departure would affect any future immigration claims.
Source: Original Article