Trump’s $3000 Self-Deportation Bonus: Undocumented migrants can now self-deport for $3,000 and compensated travel under the Trump administration. Departures are scheduled via the CBP Home app. Taxpayers can save up to $1 million per individual through voluntary departures. Since January 2025, 335,000 people have been deported by ICE. Travel restrictions extend to more than 30 nations. Green cards for refugees are frozen. The policy combines rigorous enforcement with incentives.
By promising undocumented immigrants $3,000 and subsidized travel if they choose to leave the country willingly before the end of 2025, the Trump administration has unveiled a significant escalation in its immigration approach. This action, which is part of a larger effort to expedite deportations while lowering government enforcement expenses, triples the $1,000 payout that was first implemented in May.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will handle all travel arrangements and coverage for migrants who self-deport using the CBP Home app under the new scheme. Additionally, they can be eligible to have civil fines or penalties for not leaving the country forgiven. Compared to typical arrests and removals, which can cost the government an estimated $17,000 per person, officials claim this strategy is more affordable.
DHS even posted a warning on its X account informing undocumented migrants that they are “GOING HO HO HOME” as part of the campaign, which is targeted for the holiday season. “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 return,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, stressing that voluntary self-deportation is a quicker and safer option than enforcement actions.
Approximately 1.9 million migrants have reportedly self-deported since January 2025, with tens of thousands utilizing the CBP Home app. Trump officials contend that each voluntary departure saves a substantial amount of federal money, possibly averting future benefits expenses of up to $1 million per migrant, even though these estimates have not been independently verified.
What Is Included In Trump’s $3000 Self-Deportation Bonus?
For migrants who decide to depart freely, the new stipend scheme pays for all travel costs in addition to the monetary bonus. Originally developed under the Biden administration to arrange asylum interviews, the CBP Home app is now used to support voluntary departures. According to DHS officials, this method is quicker and less expensive than arrests and detention, which are still expensive and resource-intensive.
Each self-deportation may save taxpayers “up to a million dollars or more” in future government payments, according to Trump adviser Stephen Miller. Officials contend that even with the $3,000 payout, the program is still significantly less expensive than conventional enforcement efforts, even though the government has not disclosed comprehensive cost breakdowns for the enhanced stipend.
Are Non-voluntary Arrests and Deportations still Happening?
Non-voluntary arrests and deportations are widespread despite the incentives for voluntary departure. Since Trump assumed office in January 2025, ICE has detained over 285,000 people on suspicion of being in the country unlawfully or otherwise deportable, and it has deported over 335,000 people. These numbers imply that in order to achieve its immigration goals, the administration is concurrently pursuing enforcement-based and voluntary initiatives.
Migrants who self-deport may not necessarily be able to return lawfully, legal experts warn. Many U.S. citizens without status are automatically barred from entering the country for a number of years. The infrequency of waivers raises concerns about the voluntary program’s long-term efficacy.
What Additional Changes Are Being Made To Trump’s New Immigration Proposal?
Other immigration restrictions are implemented at the same time as the stipend rise. The administration has declared that it will temporarily halt applications for green cards for specific groups and reexamine refugee cases from the Biden administration. Furthermore, the travel ban has grown from 19 to over 30 countries, which has an impact on the lawful immigration routes available to citizens of the impacted countries.
Officials contend that these actions are required to effectively control immigration and give national security top priority. However, detractors claim that the actions could put further strain on already vulnerable populations and cause confusion for both legal immigrants and refugees.