DHS more than doubles cash incentive for illegal immigrants to leave US

The Department of Homeland Security more than doubled the cash incentive for illegal immigrants to leave the United States through a self-deportation process, raising the offer from $1,000 to $2,600.

Illegal immigrants who voluntarily self-deport through the CBP Home app will receive the increased stipend and a free flight home, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Wednesday.

“Since January 2025, 2.2 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. To celebrate one year of this administration, the U.S. taxpayer is generously increasing the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally – offering a $2,600 exit bonus,” Noem said in a statement the day after the one-year mark of President Donald Trump‘s return to office.