In a significant escalation of its immigration enforcement strategy, the administration of United States President Donald Trump has dramatically increased a financial incentive aimed at encouraging migrants without legal status to leave the country voluntarily.
A Tripled Cash Incentive for Voluntary Departure
The United States government is now offering a $3,000 stipend to individuals who agree to "self-deport" from the country. This represents a tripling of the previous offer made by the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, outlined the enhanced program in a statement released on Monday, December 22, 2025.
According to the DHS, the incentive is available to migrants who sign up to depart the United States voluntarily before the end of the year. The package is reported to include not only the cash payment but also a free flight back to the migrant's home country.
A Stern Warning from Homeland Security
Secretary Kristi Noem's statement carried a clear and forceful message to those who might choose to ignore the offer. "Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return," she declared.
This hardline stance is framed by the administration as a cost-saving measure. The DHS had previously stated in May 2025 that the average expense to arrest, detain, and formally deport an individual without legal status is approximately $17,000. The $3,000 incentive is presented as a more economical alternative for the government.
Digital Tools and Deportation Tactics
The push for self-deportation is being supported by digital infrastructure. The Trump administration launched a rebranded application named CBP Home in March 2025, specifically designed for people to arrange their own departure. This app is a reconfigured version of the CBP One application, which was utilized under the prior Biden administration to facilitate legal entry for some migrants.
This policy follows other aggressive deportation actions. Recall that on Thursday, February 20, a flight carrying 135 migrants, including dozens of children, landed in San José, Costa Rica. They had been deported from the U.S. for illegally crossing the southern border. This was part of a new tactic to deport migrants from Eastern Hemisphere countries to Central American nations, with Costa Rica requiring they move on to their origin countries within 30 days.
The announcement has created considerable anxiety among immigrant communities in the USA, including Nigerians. Reports indicate some are now keeping a low profile to avoid attention. In response, the Nigerian government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has stated its readiness to receive deported citizens. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has confirmed the establishment of an inter-agency committee to manage the potential return of nationals.
