Trump signs executive order for self-deportaiton

Project Homecoming Features

The self-deportation initiative operates through a streamlined process managed via the new "CBP Home" app, allowing undocumented immigrants to book their departures and claim their exit bonuses.

At airports, a concierge service assists with travel arrangements and documentation, even for those lacking valid travel papers. The Department of Homeland Security estimates this voluntary approach could reduce costs by up to 70% compared to forced removals, which average over $17,000 per person.

Early reports indicate some initial participation, with at least one person self-deporting from Chicago to Honduras and additional departures scheduled.

Participants "will also be deprioritized for detention and removal ahead of their departure as long as they demonstrate they are making meaningful strides in completing that departure," according to administration officials.

The program is being promoted through a nationwide communications campaign emphasizing that those who leave voluntarily may maintain eligibility for future legal entry.

Voluntary Departure Incentives

The cornerstone of Project Homecoming is its financial incentive structure, offering undocumented immigrants a $1,000 "exit bonus" upon confirmation of their permanent departure from the United States.

This payment system represents a significant shift in immigration enforcement strategy, as the administration calculates that voluntary departures could save approximately 70% of costs compared to traditional deportation methods.

Border czar Tom Homan emphasized that this approach also preserves future immigration opportunities, stating: "If you leave on your own, you can take advantage of legal programs, come back. But we have to go through the process or formally deporting you."

Free transportation forms the second major incentive, with the government covering flights to any destination country except the United States.

The program allows participants to "simply show up at an airport" to access these benefits, with White House messaging framing it as making departure "as easy as possible."

This combination of financial rewards and logistical support represents an unprecedented federal investment in facilitating voluntary exits rather than focusing exclusively on enforcement operations.

Enforcement and Penalties

The executive order establishes a robust enforcement mechanism for those who don't participate in voluntary departure. Undocumented immigrants who remain face "severe consequences" including significant jail time, financial penalties, property confiscation, wage garnishment, and sudden deportation "in a place, and manner solely of our discretion," according to President Trump's announcement.

To implement these measures, the administration is directing a substantial increase in enforcement capacity, including the hiring of 20,000 additional officers specifically tasked with targeting non-participants.

The Department of Homeland Security has been actively combating what it describes as "false and misleading stories" about immigration enforcement, publishing a "non-exhaustive list of facts" to counter perceived misinformation in media coverage.

This dual approach of offering incentives while simultaneously strengthening enforcement reflects the administration's stated goal of restoring immigration control through what officials describe as a "bold" new strategy.

Criticism and Challenges

Immigration experts have expressed skepticism about Project Homecoming's potential effectiveness, noting that undocumented immigrants may be reluctant to voluntarily identify themselves to government authorities despite the financial incentives.

The program faces significant practical challenges in reaching its target audience of approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants across the country.

Constitutional concerns have also emerged regarding the administration's threatened penalties, as all individuals in the U.S. are entitled to due process protections under the Fifth Amendment regardless of immigration status. Critics worry that participants might inadvertently forfeit legal protections or due process rights by engaging with the program, while advocates question whether the $1,000 payment is sufficient motivation given the established lives many immigrants have built in America.