US to Pay $3,000 for Voluntary Departure of Undocumented Migrants
The United States Department of Homeland Security announced that by the end of this calendar year, each undocumented migrant who voluntarily leaves the country will receive $3,000 in cash and a free flight to their home country. This program is implemented through the “CBP Home” app and aims to accelerate the voluntary departure process.
According to the department, individuals unlawfully present in the US who register for voluntary deportation through this app will not only receive the cash assistance but will also benefit from the waiver of civil penalties or punishments related to failure to leave the country.
Kristi Noem, the US Secretary of Homeland Security, stated that since January 2025, about 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the US, and tens of thousands more have used the “CBP Home” program. She noted that this financial assistance has been temporarily increased during the Christmas season and is only available until the end of the year.
These developments come as current US President Donald Trump, after returning to the White House on January 20 of this year, has adopted stricter policies toward migrants. As a result, many immigration programs, including those related to Afghan citizens, have been halted.
Meanwhile, media outlets have reported that an order to stop issuing visas to Afghan citizens has been communicated to US consulates worldwide. Additionally, since the beginning of the year, the Department of Homeland Security and the US Immigration Service have detained hundreds of migrants in various states and transferred them to detention centers; actions that have sparked serious concerns among migrant communities, especially Afghans.
