Trump Offers to Pay Immigrants Who Deport Themselves – The New York Times
In a surprising move that’s raising eyebrows across the country, the Trump administration is now offering $1,000 in cash—plus travel assistance—to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. using a government-approved mobile app.
Yes, you read that right.
As part of a new immigration enforcement strategy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it will pay individuals who self-deport using the CBP Home app, a digital tool that tracks and confirms a person’s departure from the United States.
But what exactly is happening here? And why is this policy making headlines?
Let’s break it down.
What Is the Self-Deportation Stipend, Exactly?
According to DHS, undocumented immigrants who choose to leave the U.S. voluntarily using the CBP Home app will:
- Receive $1,000 once their return to their home country is verified via the app
- Get travel assistance to help with transportation logistics
- Be deprioritized for detention and removal while arranging their departure
To qualify, users must upload certain data to the app—such as their biographical details, facial image, and geolocation—proving they’re at least three miles outside U.S. borders.
Quick Summary: Self-deport, prove it through the app, and receive $1,000 and travel help.
Why Is the U.S. Government Offering Money for Self-Deportation?
According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, self-deportation is being positioned as the “safest and most cost-effective” way to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
And there’s a financial angle:
A single deportation costs the U.S. around $17,121. DHS estimates that by promoting voluntary departures, that cost could drop by up to 70%, even after including the $1,000 stipend.
That’s a big savings—at least on paper.
What Is the CBP Home App and How Does It Work?
The CBP Home app is a revamped version of the Biden-era CBP One app, which was originally used to facilitate legal asylum-seeking. The Trump administration has now retooled it to focus on voluntary self-deportation.
Here’s how it works:
- Users submit a self-deportation intent
- DHS tracks their progress
- Once verified as having left the U.S., the $1,000 stipend is issued
More than 300,000 downloads have been recorded in 2025 alone, with about 1,500 daily users, according to analytics firm Appfigures.
Will Self-Deportation Help with Future Legal Reentry?
Here’s where it gets tricky.
DHS claims that self-deportation through CBP Home may preserve the option for future legal reentry. But immigration experts are skeptical.
Kathleen Bush-Joseph of the Migration Policy Institute warns: “The operative word is may.”
Heidi Altman of the National Immigration Law Center adds: “For many, lawful reentry may never be possible, or may be barred for years.”
So while the promise of future return exists, it’s far from guaranteed.
Is This Ethical? Here’s What Critics Are Saying
Critics argue that the policy borders on coercion. Offering money to undocumented immigrants in vulnerable positions may not be a truly “voluntary” choice.
Others raise concerns about:
- The moral implications of encouraging people to leave their families
- The economic pressures placed on migrants to accept this offer
- The lack of clear guidelines on how and when the money is paid
Still, the Trump administration insists this move will streamline enforcement, cut costs, and reduce detentions.
Final Thoughts: A New Chapter in U.S. Immigration Policy
Whether you view this $1,000 stipend as an incentive or a form of pressure, one thing is clear: the U.S. is entering a new phase of immigration control—one that’s increasingly tech-driven and financially incentivized.
It’s a bold strategy, and one that’s already prompting heated debates across the political spectrum.
Stay tuned—because this conversation is far from over.
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