Key Takeaways
• Project Homecoming offers $1,000 and free flights for undocumented immigrants to leave the U.S. voluntarily using the CBP Home app.
• Non-participants face forced deportation, possible arrest, fines, property seizure, and a 10-year re-entry ban under Trump’s new executive order.
• Thousands have already used the program, with DHS reporting early success and ongoing debates about its legal and humanitarian impact.
On May 9, 2025, President Trump signed a new executive order introducing “Project Homecoming,” an effort aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸 to leave the country on their own. Announced as what Trump called “the first ever self-deportation program for illegal aliens,” this move is drawing attention for both its incentives and its tough penalties. The executive order sets up a wide range of steps to get people to leave voluntarily, but also spells out serious consequences for those who do not take part.
How the Program Works
At its center, Project Homecoming offers what some call a “carrot and stick” approach:
Key Incentives
– Free Government Flights: Undocumented immigrants can receive flights out of the United States 🇺🇸 to their home countries. These flights come at no cost to the person leaving—the government will pay the full price.
- $1,000 Exit Bonus: If someone chooses to leave under Project Homecoming, they can get an “exit bonus.” This is a payment of $1,000, as shared by Department of Homeland Security officials. The bonus goes to anyone who registers and books their flight using the new CBP Home app.
– CBP Home App: This is a new smartphone app set up just for this program. Migrants can use it to register, claim the exit bonus, and book a government-funded flight.
- Concierge Service at Airports: The program provides a “concierge” desk at major airports. Immigrants can show up, even if they do not have the right travel documents, get help with booking their flight, and receive the exit bonus.
- Help with Documents: If a person does not have a current passport or travel document, the program says the government will work to help them get what they need to travel home.
Early Rollout and Results
Since the order went into effect, the Department of Homeland Security says several migrants have booked flights home. At least one individual has used the program to return to Honduras 🇭🇳 from Chicago. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the agency, said that “thousands” have already taken part by leaving voluntarily. DHS has reported these early numbers during the first weeks of the program.
The system is set up to make the process simple and direct. With the app and airport services, the Trump administration wants to remove common barriers that may keep undocumented immigrants from leaving on their own.
What Happens if Someone Does Not Leave?
Trump’s executive order is clear about what will happen if undocumented immigrants do not join the self-deportation program. The penalties are listed as follows:
- Forced removal from the United States 🇺🇸 (also called involuntary deportation)
- Arrest, criminal charges, and time in jail
- Large fines and possible wage deductions
- Seizure of family homes, vehicles, and other property
- Sudden deportation at a time and place chosen only by the government
These consequences are meant to push undocumented immigrants to take the voluntary path, instead of waiting and hoping for another solution.
Why Establish Project Homecoming?
The administration has presented several arguments for starting this self-deportation program.
Saving Money
Officials have stressed that the costs of deporting someone by force are very high. Each case can cost the government about $17,121, according to the Department of Homeland Security. By encouraging voluntary departures, the program aims to save taxpayers a large amount of money.
Better Use of Resources
There are millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not have enough agents, jail beds, or transport trucks to find and remove them all using normal methods. Project Homecoming is seen as a way to focus resources on those who pose a risk, not every individual.
Relieving Pressure on Public Services
The Trump administration also points to the financial burden of illegal immigration, which they say was more than $150 billion in the previous fiscal year. They say schools, hospitals, and social services in the United States 🇺🇸 are feeling growing strain due to the number of undocumented immigrants. By helping more people leave, the administration believes these services may get some relief.
The Role of Technology
One of the central parts of Project Homecoming is the CBP Home app. This app lets migrants sign up for the program, book their flights, and get their exit bonus. The app is part of a push to make the process as direct as possible.
Undocumented immigrants can download the app to start the process. After entering personal details and choosing a destination, the app gives available flight times and helps complete booking. The bonus is paid at the airport, once the person is ready to board their flight.
The program also provides a “concierge” at many major airports. This person helps migrants who may not be comfortable with apps or who lack documents. The government promises to help with missing papers and make sure the migrant can safely get on their flight.
For those interested in official details about Project Homecoming, the full executive order and updates are available on the official White House website.
Early Stories From the Program
So far, there have been news reports of individuals using the program to leave the United States 🇺🇸. For example, a migrant used Project Homecoming to travel from Chicago back to Honduras 🇭🇳. This person registered through the CBP Home app, arrived at the airport, and was helped with paperwork before flying home and collecting the $1,000 exit bonus.
DHS says that such stories are becoming more common, with thousands joining the program across the country. Some believe the clear steps and money offered make it easier for families who may be considering returning home already.
Arguments For and Against
Like many immigration policies, Project Homecoming has supporters and critics. Here’s how each side views the new order.
Supporters Say
- It Saves Money: Since regular deportation costs over $17,000 per case, the new method’s $1,000 bonus is seen as a bargain.
- It’s More Humane: By letting people leave on their own, many avoid the stress and fear of being arrested and detained.
- It Reduces Strain: Supporters claim the program helps schools, hospitals, and other community services already under pressure.
Critics Worry
- People Could Lose Their Legal Options: Some immigration lawyers and advocates say migrants who are in legal proceedings (such as asylum applications) may give up their chance to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 if they leave now. If they leave while their case is pending, they may abandon it by mistake.
- Travel Restrictions After Leaving: There are rules that prevent people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 without papers for over a year from coming back for 10 years, no matter how or why they left. Some worry migrants may not understand this when they take the exit bonus.
- Families Could Be Split: If one family member leaves via Project Homecoming and others cannot, families may be divided for many years.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests these worries are not just technical. Advocates want the government to make sure migrants have full information on legal effects before joining the program.
Financial Questions
The Trump administration says Project Homecoming will lower costs, but some financial questions remain:
- Will Everyone Be Paid? The plan is to provide $1,000 per person, but with thousands departing, the cost adds up. When compared to the $17,000 per forced removal, officials say it is still a better deal.
- Who Pays for Flights? All official reports say the government covers airfare, but critics want more details about which agency pays and if there are limits to the offer.
- What About Homes and Cars? For those who do not leave, the threat to confiscate property marks a new step. It is not yet clear how or when this would be enforced.
Re-Entry Bans and Legal Risks
Under current law, someone who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for over a year without the right documents is barred from returning for 10 years after leaving—whether they go on their own or are deported. Some program supporters say Trump’s executive order leaves room for these people to return legally someday. However, there is no guarantee in the new order that waives this ban.
Advocates for immigrants warn that the 10-year ban is a big problem. Someone who takes the bonus and flight might not realize they cannot come back for a decade—or ever.
For more information about immigration policies, readers can visit the main U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, which provides details on reentry bans and voluntary departure.
Looking Ahead: What Will Happen Next?
Since Project Homecoming is so new, the full effects remain to be seen. Here are some likely next steps and questions.
- Will More People Join? If incentives remain strong and punishments are harsh, numbers may grow.
- Legal Challenges: Some immigrant supporters may go to court claiming the order is unfair, especially for people with families or legal cases in process.
- Impact on Communities: The program may change how schools, hospitals, and local services plan for the future if larger groups decide to leave.
- Policy Changes: As with many executive orders, future presidents or Congress might cancel, limit, or expand the program.
Historical Context
This is not the first time a government has tried to get people to leave by choice. Past efforts have included smaller payments and help with paperwork, but Project Homecoming is the most public and wide-reaching attempt so far in the United States 🇺🇸.
Final Thoughts
Project Homecoming, created by President Trump’s executive order, is a new attempt to handle immigration by offering undocumented immigrants a choice: take government-paid flights home with a bonus, or face hard penalties. The project hopes to save money, reduce pressure on services, and clear backlogs in the immigration system.
Still, the program has risks. Families may be split, people with legal cases may lose their chance to stay, and those who leave can face bans on returning. The true impact—on migrants, their families, and on the country as a whole—will become clear in the months ahead.
For more details about the program, you can find the executive order and updates on official government sites such as the White House Project Homecoming announcement. As the story develops, VisaVerge.com and similar sources will offer analysis and regular updates.
If you or your family are considering using Project Homecoming, it is important to learn about all possible effects—on travel, legal status, and future options—before making any decisions.
As with all new immigration policies, both the benefits and challenges will depend on how the program is explained and put into practice across the country in the coming year.
Learn Today
Executive Order → A directive issued by the U.S. President with legal authority, here used to create Project Homecoming for immigration enforcement.
CBP Home App → A government smartphone app for migrants to register, claim bonuses, and book free flights under Project Homecoming.
Exit Bonus → A $1,000 incentive payment provided to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. through the Homecoming program.
Voluntary Departure → Leaving the U.S. by choice, with government support, instead of being forced by authorities through deportation.
Re-entry Ban → A legal restriction preventing formerly undocumented immigrants from returning to the U.S., often lasting ten years after voluntary or forced departure.
This Article in a Nutshell
President Trump’s Project Homecoming offers undocumented immigrants free government flights and a $1,000 exit bonus for voluntary departure. The CBP Home app streamlines the process, but harsh penalties await those who refuse. Critics worry about legal risks, family separation, and ten-year reentry bans. The program’s real impact remains uncertain.
— By VisaVerge.com
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