The United States government has launched a new programme to encourage illegal immigrants to leave the country voluntarily.

Under the initiative, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering a Ksh335,270 cash stipend and a free flight home for those who choose to self-deport through the CBP Home app.

The programme begins immediately and targets eligible illegal aliens who are living in the US without proper documentation.

Since January 2025, more than 2.2 million illegal immigrants have voluntarily left the country, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home app to arrange their departure. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the new incentive is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to secure the country and enforce immigration laws.

“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 stated.

The initiative follows the Department’s previous “Home for the Holidays” campaign, which also encouraged voluntary departures. DHS has confirmed that self-deporting through the app can also clear users of any civil fines or penalties related to overstaying or failing to leave the country on time.

Illegal aliens urged to leave

For the government, self-deportation is significantly cheaper than enforced removal. A single forced deportation costs approximately Ksh2,352,693. With the new Ksh335,270 incentive, the cost of a self-deportation arranged through the CBP Home app drops to Ksh657,645. This represents a saving of over Ksh1,676,350 per person. Nearly 100,000 people have already used the CBP Home app to leave the US voluntarily.

The process is designed to be simple and fast. Illegal immigrants only need to download the app and enter their details, and DHS takes care of travel arrangements and payment. The government aims to make it as easy as possible for people to return to their home countries without waiting for enforcement actions.

In the first year of President Trump’s second term, over 675,000 people were deported. DHS warns that those who remain in the country illegally are likely to be found, arrested, and deported eventually. By self-deporting, immigrants avoid legal trouble and gain the benefit of the exit bonus.

The US government stresses that the offer is limited. Those who do not take part in the programme face strict consequences, including arrest, deportation, and permanent bans on returning to the United States. The incentive is being described as the safest and most cost-effective way for illegal immigrants to leave the country.

Officials encourage all eligible individuals to start planning their departure immediately through the CBP Home app. By acting now, they can avoid fines, legal action, and long-term consequences while receiving financial assistance for their journey home.