Original Date Announced

DHS announced that undocumented immigrants can receive financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App, and can also receive a stipend of $1,000 dollars paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app.

DHS further states that undocumented immigrants who indicate their intent to voluntarily self-deport through CBP Home will be "deprioritized for detention and removal ahead of their departure," and that participation in the self-deportation program "may help preserve the option" for legal re-entry in the future.

Trump 2.0 [ID #1732]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.05.07 DOS: Determination Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, under § 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 and authority previously delegated by the President and Secretary of State, determines that "assistance to or on behalf of migrants in need of assistance without legal basis to remain in the United States to voluntarily return to their country of origin or country of legal status will contribute to the foreign policy interests of the United States and designate[s] such persons for this purpose."

This provision of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act gives the President authority to appropriate funds for "assistance to or on behalf of refugees who are outside the United States." 22 U.S.C. § 2601(b)(2) (emphasis added). It has previously been used to designate stateless persons from certain countries as eligible for assistance.

The determination was made on May 7, 2025, but published on May 30.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

08.13.2025. Bid Protest - CSI Aviation v. United States

Air carrier CSI Aviation, Inc. filed a bid protest over the contract DHS awarded to Salus Worldwide Solutions Corporation to assist with international travel for undocumented immigrants who "self-deport." CSI's complaint alleges that the $915 million award to Salus was "unlawful, rushed, and noncompetitive" and that the procurement process violated Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements. The complaint criticizes a five-day timeline for contract procurement, DHS's failure to seek offers from other sources, failure to publish the solicitation, and failure to comply with Flight Program Standards. CSI requests voiding the Salus contract and enjoining performance.

**Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.10.03 Reported: DHS offering $2,500 stipend to unaccompanied migrant children to self deport - ABC News

ABC News reports that DHS is offering unaccompanied minors a resettlement stipend of $2,500 to voluntarily depart the U.S. A notice was sent to legal-service providers, noting that the stipend is a "benefit intended to support reintegration efforts" following voluntary departure. The stipend does not apply to minors no longer in government custody or from Mexico. ABC reports that "[f]or the minors who are interested, legal service providers are required to let DHS know 'as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours.'"

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.12.18 Reported: ‘They tricked me’: Migrants were promised $1,000 to voluntarily leave the US. Some never received it - The Guardian

The Guardian reports that some $1,000 Project Homecoming stipends were sent to immigrants who voluntarily left the U.S., but many others never received the promised payments. Sometimes the payment expired while an immigrant was still in detention, or payment information was given to the wrong person. Lawyers say many participants were incorrectly led to believe they were eligible, and warn the program offers no real path back to the United States, often leaving migrants subject to years-long or lifetime re-entry bans.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.12.22 DHS - Increased Incentives: DHS Now Offering $3K Holiday Stipend Through End of The Year Via the CBP Home App for Illegal Aliens to Leave Now

DHS issued a press release stating that immigrants who register to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a free flight and a $3,000 stipend. DHS also noted that "using the CBP Home app also qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country."

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.01.21 DHS - Celebrating One Year of Trump: DHS Now Offering $2,600 Stipend Via the CBP Home App for Illegal Aliens to Leave Now

DHS issued a press release announcing that to "celebrate" the first year of the second Trump presidency, noncitizens who register to self-deport through the CBP Home app will receive a free flight and a $2,600 stipend and will qualify for "forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country." The press release states that the "offer . . . may not last long."