The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a short-term programme to encourage undocumented migrants to leave the country voluntarily during the holiday season. The initiative, named “Project Homecoming,” offers migrants who register through the CBP Home app a $3,000 stipend and a free flight back to their home countries.
The programme, set to run until the end of the year, also provides participants with relief from any civil fines or penalties related to overstaying or illegal residence in the United States. Since its initial introduction in May 2025, the programme has facilitated the voluntary departure of tens of thousands of migrants, contributing to the overall 1.9 million undocumented individuals who have left the US voluntarily this year.
The DHS described the process as simple and free. Migrants can download the CBP Home app, submit their information, and receive assistance with travel arrangements. The programme’s funding comes from $250 million originally set aside for refugee resettlement, now redirected to cover the costs of the initiative.
Officials warned that migrants who do not take part in the programme risk arrest, deportation, and permanent restrictions on re-entry to the United States. The incentive temporarily increases the benefits for those who choose to self-deport, aiming to encourage participation during the holiday season.
The move follows ongoing US efforts to manage undocumented migration and is part of a broader policy established under a presidential proclamation. The programme is intended to reduce the population of undocumented migrants while offering them a structured and supported option to return home voluntarily.
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