Self-Deportations Surge Under Trump’s Revamped DHS Strategy

Self-deportations by illegal immigrants have significantly increased under President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has pivoted toward a voluntary departure strategy to cut costs and streamline removals, according to newly released agency data.

In March, the Trump administration relaunched the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “Home App,” a mobile platform that enables illegal immigrants to voluntarily schedule their departure from the U.S. without facing arrest or lengthy legal proceedings from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The voluntary departure program includes financial incentives to encourage compliance. According to Breitbart News, DHS now covers one-way flights to home countries and offers $1,000 bonuses to migrants who verify their return. DHS officials report that tens of thousands have used the app, saving taxpayers millions compared to traditional ICE-led deportations.

At the same time, DHS has stepped up enforcement for those who ignore court orders to leave. ICE has issued nearly 10,000 fine notices since Trump took office, and penalties for non-compliance have sharply increased. The administration says these measures create additional pressure for illegal immigrants to exit the country on their own.

Labor force data reflects the broader impact. Reports from multiple outlets indicate that approximately one million foreign-born workers—many of them undocumented—have left the U.S. workforce since early 2025. DHS argues this has helped open up opportunities for lower- and middle-income American workers across several industries.

The self-deportation initiative is a central piece of Trump’s immigration policy, combining deterrence, enforcement, and technology to reduce illegal presence more efficiently.