The United States (US) government has announced a Christmas incentive programme offering illegal immigrants up to $3,000 to voluntarily leave the country, warning that those who fail to take advantage of the offer risk arrest and permanent deportation.
In a statement released on Monday, December 22, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the US said illegal immigrants who enrol in the programme before the end of the year would receive a cash stipend alongside free flight tickets to their home countries.
According to the DHS statement, the initiative is being implemented through the CBP Home mobile application, which allows undocumented immigrants to register for voluntary departure.
The statement read, “Illegal aliens who sign up to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend in addition to a free flight home.”
DHS further said that participants would also enjoy additional benefits, including the forgiveness of civil fines or penalties for overstaying or failing to leave the country earlier.
“Using the CBP Home app also qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country,” the DHS said.
The US government revealed that voluntary departures had increased significantly since the beginning of the year.
“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home programme,” the statement noted.
Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, described the initiative as a seasonal goodwill gesture, noting that the incentive had been tripled during the Christmas period.
“During the Christmas season, the US taxpayer is so generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally — offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,” Noem said.
She, however, issued a stern warning to those considering staying back.
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“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,” she added.
The department gave assurance to interested immigrants that the process would be seamless, urging them to download the app and submit their details.
“Self-deportation through the CBP Home app is the best gift that an illegal alien can give themselves and their families this holiday season,” the department said.
“It’s a fast, free, and easy process: Just download the app, fill out your information, and DHS will take care of the rest — including arranging and paying for your travel back home.”
The department reiterated that illegal immigrants who ignore the offer would face strict consequences.
“Those illegal aliens who don’t take advantage of this special offer today have only one alternative: They will be arrested, deported, and they will never be able to return to the United States,” the DHS warned.
Trump has repeatedly defended the incessant restrictions as necessary to safeguard national security and address concerns about the ability to vet people from the affected countries
