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CBP Home: Assistance to Voluntarily Self Deport

CBP HOME: Assistance to Voluntarily Self-Deport

DHS is using the CBP Home Mobile App to incentivize the voluntary self-departure of aliens illegally in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive cost-free travel, forgiveness of any failure to depart fines, and a $1,000 exit bonus to facilitate travel back to their home country or another country where they have lawful status through the CBP Home Mobile App.

Download the CBP Home App

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“If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return. If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way.”

Incentives

Using the CBP Home Mobile App to self-deport includes the following incentives:

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    Deprioritized for detention and removal by ICE

    Once non-criminal illegal aliens submit their intent to depart through the CBP Home Mobile App and pass vetting, they will be temporarily deprioritized by ICE for detention or enforcement action before their scheduled departure.

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    Financial and travel document assistance for those in need

    Illegal aliens who register for voluntary self-departure through the CBP Home Mobile App will receive cost-free travel, a $1,000 exit bonus, and forgiveness of any failure to depart fines. Illegal aliens requesting assistance will have a timely departure arranged for them.

    The CBP Home Mobile App allows illegal aliens to plan their return, including having an opportunity to depart in a timely manner – allowing illegal aliens to wrap up work, school, and personal matters and organize their return in an orderly and lawful way.
     

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    Leave safely, travel normally

    The CBP Home program lets eligible aliens return home as regular travelers—without arrest, detention, or restraints. It’s a safe, orderly alternative that provides assistance and flexibility, not fear.

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    Forgivness of Fines

    You will have civil fines for failure to depart after a final order of removal or a voluntary departure order in the U.S. forgiven. You will not have to pay these fines.
     

To participate, illegal aliens must use the CBP Home Mobile App to record their intention to voluntarily depart the United States.

How to Use the CBP Home Mobile App

Illegal aliens must use the CBP Home Mobile App to record their intention to voluntarily depart the United States.

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The five steps to use the CBP Home Mobile App. Are  you an illegal alien? Use the CBP Home Mobile App to leave the U.S. on your own terms. Step 1: Download the CBP Home Mobile App. Step 2: Select your language. Step 3: Fill out required information and submit a current self-photo. Step 4: If applicable, add additional family members. Step 5. Submit to CBP Home.

For more information, please refer to the CBP Home: Submit Intent to Depart – Quick Reference Guide provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

The CBP Home Mobile App grants users access to a variety of services provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including the Intent to Depart feature. This feature allows illegal aliens to voluntarily notify the U.S. Government of their intent to depart the United States instead of facing ICE enforcement actions, detention, and removal. 

The CBP Home Mobile App is offering a voluntary, incentivized process for illegal aliens currently in the United States to return to their home country or another country that will accept them on their own terms. Eligible illegal aliens receive cost-free travel, travel assistance, and a $1,000 exit bonus. They will also be deprioritized for detention and removal by ICE while preparing to leave.

The below categories qualify for incentives:

  • Non-criminal illegal aliens in the United States who had an encounter with CBP either at a port of entry or between ports of entry.
  • Categorical parolees whose legal presence in the United States has expired or will soon expire.
  • Aliens whose Temporary Protected Status is terminated. 

Using the CBP Home Mobile App to self-deport offers the following incentives for illegal aliens in the United States: 

  • A $1,000 exit bonus
    • The exit bonus will be provided upon confirmation through the app that return has been completed.
  • Travel assistance
    • Illegal aliens who register for voluntary self-departure through the CBP Home Mobile App will receive travel assistance, such as arranging travel for their children or extended family or obtaining valid travel documents. Aliens requesting assistance will have a timely departure arranged for them (estimated departure to be within 21 days of approval). Illegal aliens in need of assistance should take extra care to ensure they provide accurate contact information and are responsive to outreach attempts.
  • Forgiveness of any failure to depart fines.
  • Leaving voluntarily may improve future immigration options.
  • De-prioritization for enforcement actions, detention and removal by ICE
    • Once illegal aliens submit their intent to depart through the CBP Home Mobile App and pass vetting, they will be deprioritized by ICE for enforcement action, detention and removal before their scheduled departure.

If you are unlawfully residing in the United States, ICE will continue to prioritize your removal. This is a process that often results in detention and rapid removal and could result in a permanent bar to renter the United States. 

DHS encourages all non-criminal illegal aliens to depart the United States as quickly as possible. DHS may expand eligibility in the future. Illegal aliens not yet eligible for CBP Home who require assistance are encouraged to reach out to their home country’s Embassy or Consulate for assistance with returning home. 

When submitting an Intent to Depart via the CBP Home Mobile app, aliens will need to provide:  

  • First name
  • Middle name
  • Last name
  • Date of birth
  • Country of citizenship  
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • A clear self-photo, or selfie 

There are several reasons an illegal alien’s submission through the CBP Home Mobile App might not be successful. Foremost, an illegal alien may not meet the qualifications delineated above in "Who Qualifies?" or did not follow the requisite guidance for photo collection. Please ensure that all photo submissions are clear, have sufficient lighting, and contain only your face. For additional concerns, please email CBPHome@cbp.dhs.gov.

Currently there is no deadline to apply. However, illegal aliens are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to self-deport as soon as possible, before ICE takes action to deport them involuntarily. By self-deporting through CBP Home Mobile App, illegal aliens can take control of their situation, access financial and travel assistance if eligible, and avoid ICE arrest and detention.

Yes. To do so, register family members as co-travelers within the CBP Home Mobile App. Once you submit the first adult alien’s information in the CBP Home Mobile App, you will be asked if you would like to submit another. Illegal aliens who submit additional travelers during the same CBP Home Mobile App session or under the same email account will be considered co-travelers.

Yes. Each co-traveler present in the United States—including minors—must be registered in the CBP Home Mobile App to receive the benefits of CBP Home self-deportation assistance. Without this registration, minors will not be logged as self-deported and will not receive the incentives offered through CBP Home. However, minors can only be registered in the mobile app after an adult is registered utilizing the same email account.
 

Yes. Legal minors (children) can travel with parents and legal guardians, as long as:

  1. They pass the usual CBP checks, like verifying ID and immigration status.
  2. Parents and legal guardians have a notarized consent letter from any parent or legal guardian who is not traveling with the child. You can find examples of the consent letter online by searching for 'Minor Travel Consent Form' or 'Letter of Consent to Travel with a Minor. 

Air or sea travel:

For those departing via air or sea, CBP will confirm your departure date from the United States. Those using CBP Home Mobile App do not need to take any additional action. While not required, you can still self-report your departure through the CBP Home Mobile app and receive a digital record of your departure on your mobile device.

Land travel (including car, bus, or on foot):

Participants must verify their departure. After physically leaving the United States, open the CBP Home app, select “Departing Traveler,” then select “Verify Departure.”

After departing the United States by land, you must do the following in CBP Home app:

  • Be at least three miles outside the U.S. border.
  • Authorize the use of location services on your phone.
  • Submit a new photo to CBP Home.
  • Submit your personal and travel information, including first and last name, date of birth, sex, passport or alien registration number, and country you are physically in while verifying departure.

Yes. Participants can obtain proof of departure in two ways:

  1. Access “Traveler,” select, “Air,” “Land,” or “Sea,” and then select “View My Travel History.” Enter the appropriate information, and the app will display the departure information CBP has on file.  
  2. If participants verified departure via the CBP Home Mobile app, they may also select “Departing Traveler” and “View My Departure.”

If you have a pending case before an immigration court, you can still participate in CBP Home voluntary self-deportation. DHS will file motion with the immigration court to dismiss your case.

Potential participants should consult with an immigration attorney or legal counsel prior to indicating the intent to self-depart.

Yes, if an illegal alien wishes to self-deport via the CBP Home Mobile App, these conditions do not preclude eligibility.

Yes, if an illegal alien wishes to self-deport via the CBP Home Mobile App, these conditions do not preclude eligibility.

CBP Home representatives may contact you by phone or email. They will never ask you for your bank routing information, social security numbers, passwords, or mother’s maiden name. CBP Home is a voluntary self-deportation program, not ICE removal or enforcement action. If you have questions, please contact your relevant embassy or reach out to CBPHome@cbp.dhs.gov.

Currently, CBP Home Mobile App is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese, and Hindi. There are no announced plans to add additional languages at this time.

CBP Home participants who indicate that they require assistance upon submission can receive transportation to the airport from approved CBP Home program implementing partners. Those not in need of assistance may arrange their own transportation to the airport.

You may bring two checked bags (50 lbs. or less each) and one carry-on. Extra baggage cannot be accommodated and must be left with someone or surrendered at the airport. Please make arrangements for any additional belongings to be shipped to your home country before departure.
 

DHS is working with Project Homecoming partners on the disbursement of exit bonuses. Illegal aliens will receive the exit bonuses after they land in the country of arrival. 

The delivery method will vary based on country-specific guidelines and regulations. However, no bank account is necessary for illegal aliens to receive their exit bonus. In most instances, illegal aliens will collect their exit bonus in their home country. 

DHS is working with partners across the U.S. Government and countries receiving their repatriated citizens through this process. CBP Home will also provide assistance for voluntary returns through approved implementing partners.  

CBP Home does not include benefits or preferences for future applications at this time. 

Self-deportation through the CBP Home Mobile App is premised on aliens who are unlawfully in the U.S. electing to voluntarily exit the U.S. and returning home.  

A departure through CBP Home is not considered a withdrawal of an application for admission under 8 U.S.C.  § 1225(a)(4) or a voluntary departure under 8 U.S.C. § 1229c.

To the extent that an illegal alien with a final order of removal departs the United States, such a departure will generally constitute a self-removal/execution of the outstanding removal order. 

An illegal alien who leaves the United States while an asylum application is pending generally will be presumed to have abandoned their application. Potential participants may wish to consult with an immigration attorney or legal counsel prior to indicating the intent to self-deport through CBP Home.

Last Updated: 07/03/2025
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