The United States government has introduced a voluntary departure scheme that provides undocumented immigrants with free travel and a $2,600 cash payment if they choose to leave the country through the CBP Home Mobile App. The programme, announced on August 15, 2026, aims to encourage self-deportation as an alternative to arrest or detention.
Programme Benefits and Eligibility
Under the initiative, non-criminal illegal aliens who register their intent to depart via the app and pass a vetting process will be temporarily deprioritised by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detention or enforcement action before their scheduled exit date. This grace period is intended to give migrants time to settle work, school, and personal matters before leaving.
Participants also receive full forgiveness of any outstanding civil fines for failure to comply with a final order of removal or a voluntary departure order. The government said those who request assistance will have their departure arranged in a timely manner.
Application Process via CBP Home App
The CBP Home Mobile App is available for download on iOS and Android devices through the App Store and Google Play. Users select their preferred language, fill out required personal information, and submit a current self-photograph through the secure platform. Applicants can also add family members departing with them in the same submission.
Officials described the scheme as a safe and orderly alternative to arrest or detention, allowing eligible aliens to return home as regular travellers without restraints or enforcement pressure. The government's messaging urges undocumented immigrants to "leave the US on your own terms," positioning voluntary departure as a more dignified exit route compared to forced removal.
Context and Related Enforcement Actions
In a related development, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on February 10, 2026, that 18 Nigerians had been added to its deportation list, bringing the total to 97. The arrests were part of a coordinated crackdown across several US states led by ICE, targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes under an expanded nationwide enforcement operation.
