Overview
- The temporary holiday incentive offers $3,000 and government-paid return flights to undocumented migrants who register and depart via the CBP Home app before year-end.
- ICE posted a Santa-themed video on December 22 urging people to self-deport through CBP Home, drawing widespread criticism from activists and religious leaders for its festive imagery.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged migrants to leave voluntarily and cited 1.9 million voluntary departures since January 2025, figures researchers and advocates say lack transparent supporting data.
- Immigration lawyers warn participants can face three- to ten-year reentry bans and lasting biometric records, and rights groups note TSA screening data can be shared with ICE for travelers.
- The administration frames the payout as cost-effective compared with an estimated $17,000 per arrest–detain–deport case, as ICE reports December detention levels of about 68,400 people.