What to Know About Project Homecoming: The New Self-Deportation Program

Published: May 27, 2025

Do you or someone you know in the US lack legal immigration status? US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in charge of managing the detention and removal operations of aliens who are illegally present within the country. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) specifies which individuals’ presence in the US is unlawful. 

The Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) reported approximately 11.0 million immigrants illegally present in the US as of January 1, 2022. Some unauthorized immigrants entered the country without inspection, while others remained longer than allowed in their temporary visas. 

Suppose you or a loved one is illegally present in the US. You can exit the country on your own terms before ICE takes action to detain or deport you. Bars to reentry are one of the potential consequences of removal proceedings. 

Although self-deportation can still trigger such bars, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers it the best and safest option for undocumented immigrants to leave the US without getting arrested.

Overview of the New Project Homecoming Executive Order

On May 9, 2025, a new executive order establishing Project Homecoming was signed, aiming to encourage and assist undocumented immigrants to depart from the US. This program creates a seamless departure process for those illegally present in the country using the CBP home app, formerly referred to as CBP One. 

The CPB Home is a mobile application that gives you convenient access to different US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services. It helps arrange your return to your home country in a timely manner. Another advantage of using the app to self-deport is that immigration enforcement officials may refrain from actively pursuing you for arrest or deportation. 

Moreover, this self-deportation program aims to lower the significant financial cost of the formal deportation process. According to the DHS, it currently costs an average of $17,121 to arrest, detain, and remove an undocumented immigrant. It’s estimated that using CBP Home will reduce deportation costs by around 70 percent. 

Below are the key provisions you need to know if you participate in the newly launched self-deportation program under Project Homecoming. 

• Undocumented immigrants who voluntarily and permanently leave the US will receive a financial incentive in the form of an exit bonus upon successful relocation.
• A government concierge service is available at airports to help undocumented immigrants book flights and depart voluntarily, even without valid home country travel documents.
• Increased enforcement measures for those who don’t voluntarily leave the US will commence on July 8, 2025, within 60 days of the executive order’s signing. 
• There’s a nationwide campaign to inform undocumented immigrants about the program’s advantages and the repercussions of noncompliance, which reportedly include financial penalties, forced deportation, and incarceration. 

How Self-Deportation Works Under Project Homecoming

You’re not required to report to an ICE office if you initiate your own departure process. Although you’re free to leave the US simply on your own initiative, you must make arrangements for your departure through the CBP home app.

At this time, there’s no deadline to apply for self-deportation. However, the DHS encourages unauthorized immigrants to do so as soon as possible, before ICE initiates deportation proceedings. Here’s how you can take advantage of the opportunity to self-deport under the newly launched Project Homecoming. 

• Submit your intent to participate in voluntary self-departure on the CBP home app. 
• If approved, the US government will provide financial assistance for the travel costs.
• You’ll receive a departure window, typically within 21 days of approval for requesting assistance for self-deportation. 
• The CBP will automatically verify your departure from the US if you travel by air or sea, while you must confirm on the app that you leave if you travel by land. 
• You will receive a $1000 stipend or exit bonus once you have verified your return to your home country on the app. 

Take the Right Steps With a Los Angeles Immigration Lawyer

Self-deportation can have legal implications. For instance, the new policy doesn’t specify any formal pathway or protection for future reentry in the US. Since every immigration case is unique, the decision to voluntarily leave warrants careful guidance from a credible Los Angeles immigration lawyer. 

Thus, seek consultation before taking any action that could expose you to greater risks that can impact your ability to return to the US for years. Our legal team at ALG Lawyers can help assess the right steps for your specific circumstances and understand the legal protections for which you may already be eligible.