Leaving the US on Your Own Terms: A Look at the Trump Administration's "Self-Deportation" App
Administration of Trump proposes financial incentives for immigrants to willingly leave the country
The Trump administration took a unique approach to managing immigration matters. In 2025, they launched a program dubbed "self-deportation," centered around a revamped app – previously known as CBP One under the Biden administration and now renamed CBP Home. This platform offers undocumented immigrants financial rewards and travel assistance to voluntarily depart the United States.
Offering a Helping Hand
- A Financial Boost: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attests that self-deportation costs taxpayers approximately 70% less compared to formal deportation, which can cost over $17,000 per individual[1][2]. As an incentive, the app grants a $1,000 stipend and covers travel expenses[3][5].
- Easing the Process: By using the app to indicate their intention to leave, undocumented immigrants can avoid detention and formal removal procedures, provided they demonstrate "meaningful steps" to complete their departure[2][5].
Moving People
- Initial Participation: According to DHS, thousands have utilized the app to self-deport, with at least one confirmed case of a migrant returning to Honduras from Chicago via the program. More tickets have been booked for the following weeks[4][5].
- Shift in Perspective: The CBP Home app was repurposed from an instrument for scheduling lawful entry under the Biden administration to a tool for facilitating voluntary exits under Trump[2][5].
Political Allure
- Cost Savings: This initiative mirrors Trump's campaign promises of mass deportation and cost-saving measures in immigration enforcement[2][3].
Points of Concern
- Distrust and Skepticism: Some undocumented immigrants might harbor reservations about government incentives, fearing potential exposure to future enforcement or complications within their legal status[2].
- Questionable Long-Term Effectiveness: Despite "thousands" using the app, the extent to which it significantly impacts the overall population of undocumented immigrants (estimated in millions) remains unclear[4][5].
- Resource Reallocation: Critics question whether the incentives are sufficiently enticing to motivate widespread participation, allowing ICE resources to be redirected for targeted enforcement actions[2][3].
At a Glance: Key Facts about the Self-Deportation App Program
| Category | Details ||-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| App Name | CBP Home (formerly CBP One) || Financial Incentives | $1,000 stipend, travel assistance || Enforcement Status | "Deprioritized" for detention/removal while using app || Cost Savings | 70% cheaper than formal deportation (over $17,000 per person vs. app cost) || Participation | "Thousands" reported using the app; at least one confirmed self-deportation || Strategic Shift | Repurposed from entry facilitation (Biden) to exit facilitation (Trump) |
Final Thoughts
The self-deportation app represents a groundbreaking tactic in immigration enforcement, employing digital tools and financial incentives to encourage voluntary departures. Early successes are evident, but the program's long-term effectiveness in significantly reducing the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. remains debated[4][5]. The initiative is as much a cost-saving measure as it is a political strategy, symbolizing the administration's broader objectives on immigration[2][3].
- Transnational Engagement: The European Union and its Member States could explore the potential application of CBP Home-style initiatives to manage migration politically, by providing monetary incentives and simplified exit processes to encourage voluntary return, as demonstrated by the Trump administration's self-deportation app.
- ESCALATION IN SIMILAR POLITICS: Some observers predict a possible rise in similar tactics across political landscapes, with the EU potentially following suit, as the self-deportation app has proved to be a cost-effective measure for managing immigration and can serve as a critical tool for parties campaigning on strict immigration policies.
