DHS Raises Self-Deportation Incentive to $2,600 Amid Questions Over Removal Data

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is more than doubling the cash incentive it offers to non-citizens who leave the United States voluntarily. The agency announced on Wednesday that the stipend, previously set at $1,000, will climb to $2,600 for individuals who arrange their departure through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home mobile application.

According to DHS, the larger payment is intended to commemorate the first anniversary of President Donald Trump’s current term. Officials indicated that the increase could be temporary, but no specific end date was provided. The department framed the initiative as a cost-effective way to encourage quicker departures while reducing the resources required for formal removal proceedings and detention.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a written statement that the enhanced offer represents “a generous” opportunity for those in the country without authorization to exit on their own. She warned that individuals who do not take advantage of the stipend risk being located, arrested, and permanently barred from re-entering the United States.

The Scope of Self-Deportations

DHS reports that since January 2025 roughly 2.2 million people lacking legal status have left the country voluntarily, with “tens of thousands” using the CBP Home app to arrange travel and claim the previous $1,000 payment. The agency has not released a detailed breakdown showing how many received financial assistance or the total amount disbursed so far.

Outside analysts have raised doubts about the department’s figures. A study published last week by the Brookings Institution characterized DHS data as unreliable and cautioned that the numbers “should not be considered a serious source.” Brookings researchers estimated that actual removals in 2025, including both formal deportations and voluntary departures, ranged between 310,000 and 315,000—far below the 675,000 deportations cited by DHS for the same period.

The discrepancy has renewed scrutiny of the administration’s immigration metrics, which continue to play a central role in policy debates on Capitol Hill and in ongoing litigation over enforcement tactics.

Incentive Structure and Implementation

Under the updated program, eligible participants who complete registration through the CBP Home app receive a one-way airline ticket and the $2,600 stipend upon their departure. DHS has advertised the package in multiple languages across social media, radio, and streaming platforms, reportedly spending millions of dollars to promote the previous $1,000 offer.

The agency argues that the larger payment will accelerate the self-deportation trend, thereby reducing detention costs and easing pressure on immigration court backlogs. Critics counter that generous payouts may encourage some individuals to enter the country in the hope of eventually cashing in on the incentive, although DHS says it will vet applicants to prevent fraud.

Enforcement Environment

While DHS promotes voluntary departures, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to employ more traditional measures. Immigration attorneys report that ICE has intensified the use of civil fines and federal lawsuits to compel removal, tactics they say pressure migrants to leave without contesting their cases.

Imagem: Internet

Meanwhile, Customs and Border Protection has launched targeted operations in several states, including the recently announced “Operation Catch of the Day” in Maine, aimed at locating individuals with outstanding removal orders. The combination of enforcement actions and financial inducements reflects a two-track approach: incentivize departures where possible and pursue arrest and removal where voluntary compliance fails.

Political Context

Immigration enforcement was a cornerstone of President Trump’s campaign platform, and the administration has treated the enhanced stipend as evidence of follow-through. Supporters argue that the initiative offers a humane alternative to detention while advancing the president’s broader goal of reducing the undocumented population.

Advocacy organizations remain skeptical. They contend that aggressive enforcement combined with financial incentives effectively coerces vulnerable individuals into leaving, often without fully understanding their legal options. Questions about the accuracy of DHS removal statistics add to concerns that the policy’s impact is being exaggerated.

Key Data Points

• Stipend increase: $1,000 to $2,600, effective immediately.
• Program access: CBP Home mobile app registration required.
• Reported voluntary departures since January 2025: 2.2 million, according to DHS.
• DHS-reported deportations in 2025: 675,000.
• Brookings Institution estimate for 2025 removals: 310,000–315,000.

DHS has not specified how long the $2,600 offer will remain available, stating only that the amount commemorates the administration’s first year in office and may be reevaluated later. Until then, the department plans to continue advertising the program and offering logistical assistance to applicants.

As the incentive rolls out, lawmakers, analysts, and advocates are likely to watch two metrics closely: the number of individuals who accept the payment and the overall pace of removals, voluntary or otherwise. Reliable data on both fronts will be critical in assessing whether the higher stipend achieves its stated goals or prompts unintended consequences.

Crédito da imagem: Department of Homeland Security