Thousands of undocumented immigrants have voluntarily begun leaving the United States using a new app, according to figures from the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ). More than 5,000 self-deportations were recorded in the last month alone via the CBP Home app, a digital platform rolled out by US Customs and Border Protection to streamline voluntary departures.
The move appears to be a result of intensified messaging from the Trump administration, which has recently doubled down on efforts to encourage self-removal. One flyer distributed to illegal immigrants carries a clear warning: individuals who remain in the country despite a final deportation order will face steep penalties. "This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump has also weighed in directly. “Leave now and self-deport voluntarily. If they do, they could potentially have the opportunity to return legally at some point in the future,” he said in a video message released last month. He added a sharp warning to those who do not comply: “They will be found, they will be deported, and they will never be admitted again to the United States.”
Supporters of the policy believe the uptick in voluntary removals stems from the fear of tough enforcement. "The current trend of illegal aliens self-deporting proves that even just the credible threat of enforcement can be enough to get many illegal immigrants to comply with our laws and leave the country," said America First Legal Senior Counsel James Rogers . "Everyone knows this, including the aliens who have been illegally living here."
Rogers emphasized that earlier administrations had failed to enforce immigration laws rigorously. “Our nation’s immigration laws impose severe penalties on aliens who are illegally in the country. The only reason there is a large population of illegal immigrants residing in the United States is because prior administrations have failed to enforce these laws passed by Congress,” he said.
The CBP Home app’s voluntary departure program also includes a set of incentives for those who choose to leave. Among the benefits listed in the DHS flyer are the ability to retain earnings made while in the US, possible eligibility for legal immigration in the future, and even financial help or free travel for those unable to cover the cost of leaving.
"Illegal aliens should use the CBP Home app to self-deport and leave the country now. If they don’t, they will face the consequences," McLaughlin said.
Rogers echoed this sentiment, calling the administration’s approach both lawful and effective. "They would be wise to do so, because leaving on their own will be far better for them than the many penalties they will face if they continue to remain here in violation of our nation’s laws, now that we have an administration willing to enforce the law."
Trump further noted that self-deportation isn’t just beneficial for migrants, but also for federal resources. “Using the CBP Home app to leave the United States voluntarily is the safest option for illegal aliens,” he said. The move, he added, helps law enforcement “focus on criminal aliens” rather than expending time and resources locating and deporting non-compliant individuals.
The move appears to be a result of intensified messaging from the Trump administration, which has recently doubled down on efforts to encourage self-removal. One flyer distributed to illegal immigrants carries a clear warning: individuals who remain in the country despite a final deportation order will face steep penalties. "This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump has also weighed in directly. “Leave now and self-deport voluntarily. If they do, they could potentially have the opportunity to return legally at some point in the future,” he said in a video message released last month. He added a sharp warning to those who do not comply: “They will be found, they will be deported, and they will never be admitted again to the United States.”
Supporters of the policy believe the uptick in voluntary removals stems from the fear of tough enforcement. "The current trend of illegal aliens self-deporting proves that even just the credible threat of enforcement can be enough to get many illegal immigrants to comply with our laws and leave the country," said America First Legal Senior Counsel James Rogers . "Everyone knows this, including the aliens who have been illegally living here."
Rogers emphasized that earlier administrations had failed to enforce immigration laws rigorously. “Our nation’s immigration laws impose severe penalties on aliens who are illegally in the country. The only reason there is a large population of illegal immigrants residing in the United States is because prior administrations have failed to enforce these laws passed by Congress,” he said.
The CBP Home app’s voluntary departure program also includes a set of incentives for those who choose to leave. Among the benefits listed in the DHS flyer are the ability to retain earnings made while in the US, possible eligibility for legal immigration in the future, and even financial help or free travel for those unable to cover the cost of leaving.
"Illegal aliens should use the CBP Home app to self-deport and leave the country now. If they don’t, they will face the consequences," McLaughlin said.
Rogers echoed this sentiment, calling the administration’s approach both lawful and effective. "They would be wise to do so, because leaving on their own will be far better for them than the many penalties they will face if they continue to remain here in violation of our nation’s laws, now that we have an administration willing to enforce the law."
Trump further noted that self-deportation isn’t just beneficial for migrants, but also for federal resources. “Using the CBP Home app to leave the United States voluntarily is the safest option for illegal aliens,” he said. The move, he added, helps law enforcement “focus on criminal aliens” rather than expending time and resources locating and deporting non-compliant individuals.
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