US Offers $2,600 Incentive for Undocumented Migrants to Self-Deport

The US Department of Homeland Security has launched a new initiative offering $2,600 to undocumented migrants, including Indians, to encourage voluntary departure from the country. This program allows individuals to leave without facing penalties or detention, providing a fresh start upon return. The initiative is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy under the Trump administration, which has seen a significant increase in deportations. Learn more about the implications of this policy and how it affects undocumented migrants.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 18, 2026, 12:36 IST

Incentive for Voluntary Departure

On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security in the United States introduced a program offering $2,600 (approximately Rs 2.4 lakh) to undocumented migrants, including those from India, as an incentive to voluntarily leave the country.

According to the department, undocumented individuals can utilize the Customs and Border Protection Home Mobile App to express their intention to depart the US voluntarily.

In a social media announcement, the department encouraged migrants by stating, “You can go home with a fresh start,” accompanied by visuals of iconic landmarks such as India’s Taj Mahal and Colombia’s Cartagena Cathedral, along with a depiction of Chinese architecture.

Participants in this program will receive a complimentary flight back home along with the $2,600 exit bonus upon registering their departure intention through the CBP Home app.

The department clarified that those opting for this route would not incur penalties for their previous undocumented status. This initiative allows individuals to return home as regular travelers, avoiding arrest, detention, or any form of restraints.

In March 2025, the Trump administration had launched a revamped version of the CBP Home application to facilitate self-deportation for undocumented migrants. The previous administration had utilized an earlier version, CBP One, to assist migrants in entering the US legally.

In May, the Department of Homeland Security reported that the average expense associated with detaining and deporting undocumented individuals in the US was around $17,000.

Since Trump resumed office in early 2025, his administration has intensified immigration enforcement, leading to widespread deportations.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs informed Parliament that over 3,000 Indians were deported from the US in 2025.