U.S. Offers $2,600 Cash Incentive to Illegal Aliens in One-Year Milestone Push

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday that the Trump administration will nearly triple its cash incentive for illegal aliens who voluntarily self-deport, framing the move as part of a one-year milestone for the government.

“Since January 2025, 2.2 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program,” Noem stated in an X post. “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.”

The new stipend raises the voluntary self-deportation incentive from its current amount of $1,000. Noem warned individuals who do not “take advantage of this gift” that they would face arrest and never return to the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security has promoted voluntary departures as a cornerstone of its immigration enforcement strategy, urging undocumented migrants to leave the country independently rather than risk detention and removal proceedings. Officials described the CBP Home program as allowing participants to arrange travel, confirm departure via an app, and receive financial assistance after exit verification.

The administration previously raised the stipend to $3,000 during holiday season for those who registered by year-end 2025. DHS claims voluntary self-deportation reduces enforcement costs while freeing up resources to target criminal undocumented migrants and repeat immigration offenders. The Home program is funded through $250 million originally allocated for refugee resettlement and deportation cost reduction.

DHS states that enforcing a single removal costs approximately $18,000, compared to the $5,000 average for voluntary departures including stipends. Critics have questioned the accuracy of publicly cited self-deportation figures and raised concerns about taxpayer funding for cash incentives. Attorney Raul Reyes previously argued that offering undocumented migrants financial inducements to leave constitutes “neither sound policy nor smart politics” and could create “life-altering consequences.”