DHS Triples 'Exit Bonus' to $3,000 for Undocumented Immigrants Self-Deporting

Increased Financial Incentive for Voluntary Departure

• 💰 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is tripling its financial incentive, known as an "exit bonus," for undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the U.S.
• 🎯 The new offer is $3,000, up from the initial $1,000, for those who self-deport by December 31, 2025.
• 🗓️ This initiative is part of a holiday push to encourage self-deportation.

CBP Home App for Program Participation

• 📱 Migrants must download the CBP Home app on a smartphone to participate.
• 📝 Within the app, they need to enter personal information and register their plans to depart the U.S. voluntarily.
• ✅ The app is used to notify DHS of departure and confirm leaving the country.

Enforcement and Deportation Efforts

• ⚠️ Individuals using this program are de-prioritized for enforcement actions as long as they are making progress towards leaving the U.S.
• 📈 This voluntary departure program is one component of the administration's broader strategy to remove undocumented migrants.
• 📊 Since January, DHS reports that approximately 1.9 million undocumented immigrants have voluntarily left the U.S., with tens of thousands using the CBP Home app.
• ⚖️ The administration has also continued traditional ICE deportations and expanded removal agreements with other countries.

Legal Challenges and Mistaken Deportation Case

• 🚫 Steps have been taken to restrict other legal immigration pathways, including pausing immigration and asylum applications from certain countries.
• 🇪🇸 A federal judge is reviewing the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite having a valid order of protection.
• 🧑‍⚖️ The judge ruled that Garcia will remain free from government detention until at least December 30th, while DHS determines its definitive plans for him.