The Trump administration has rolled out a sweeping campaign urging undocumented immigrants to “self-deport.” Through a program called CBP Home, launched as part of “Project Homecoming,” the government is now offering financial incentives to those who choose to leave the U.S. voluntarily. Radio and video ads are playing across the country with one clear message from Homeland Security: “Leave now. If you don’t, we will find you and deport you.”
But what does that actually mean? And more importantly, what should you consider before making one of the most significant decisions of your life?
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’ve spent over two decades guiding immigrants through complex legal challenges. Below, we break down what the CBP Home program is, why it matters, and what questions you should ask yourself before taking any action.
What Is CBP Home and the Self-Deportation Program?
CBP Home is a mobile app-based system rolled out in early 2025 as part of the Trump administration’s broader plan to reduce the undocumented population. It gives immigrants the option to voluntarily depart the U.S. and, in return, receive:
- Free one-way transportation to their home country or a third country where they have lawful status
- Forgiveness for “failure to depart” fines
- A $1,000 “exit bonus” if they depart through the program
The administration is calling this a historic opportunity for undocumented immigrants to leave with dignity. But for many, this program is not about dignity. It is about pressure.
When the alternative is arrest, detention, and removal with no support, the choice becomes less about opportunity and more about fear.
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Why Now? The Timing of This Campaign Matters
This push for self-deportation is not happening by coincidence or in isolation. It is part of a coordinated strategy that builds on months of aggressive immigration enforcement. The CBP Home program didn’t just appear, it was carefully timed to take advantage of rising fear and legal uncertainty.
In recent months, we’ve seen a clear pattern:
- Interior ICE Raids Are Increasing: Federal agents are no longer focusing solely on the border. They are showing up in cities and towns across the country, including in communities where many people have lived peacefully for years. Individuals without criminal records are being arrested at courthouses, outside schools, and even at home.
- Visa Restrictions Are Getting Tighter: With new visa bond requirements taking effect, many families and business travelers face steep financial barriers just to visit the U.S. These policies disproportionately affect individuals from countries labeled as “high risk,” many of whom have deep ties to the United States.
- Police and ICE Are Working Closer Than Ever: In many jurisdictions, local law enforcement is now working hand-in-hand with ICE. The sanctuary protections that once offered a layer of safety are being weakened or removed entirely. This means more traffic stops are turning into immigration arrests. More detentions are happening quietly, without public scrutiny.
- Fast-Track Deportations Are Back: Programs that bypass immigration courts and eliminate due process are returning. Immigrants are being removed before they’ve had a fair chance to speak to a lawyer or explain their circumstances.
In this legal and political climate, many immigrants feel trapped. If you’re undocumented or have an unresolved immigration case, you may feel like your options are disappearing. And that’s exactly the point. The timing of CBP Home is not accidental.
But here’s what we want every immigrant to know: you do not have to make decisions based on fear. There are legal options worth exploring. Voluntary departure is a serious decision that can have long-term consequences for your future and your family.
Before taking any steps, speak with a licensed Connecticut immigration attorney who can help you understand your rights, assess your eligibility for relief, and create a plan that protects what matters most.
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’ve spent over 20 years helping individuals in exactly these situations.
Important Questions to Ask Before You Self-Deport
Here are the most important questions every person should consider before downloading an app, signing a form, or booking a flight:
- Do I currently have an active immigration case pending?
- Have I spoken with a licensed immigration attorney about my options?
- Could I qualify for asylum, TPS, adjustment of status, or other forms of relief?
- Will leaving the country prevent me from re-entering in the future?
- What happens to my family members if I leave?
- Do I have a final order of removal?
- Do I fully understand the legal consequences of voluntarily departing?
Leaving the U.S. under pressure can permanently affect your ability to return, reunite with loved ones, or apply for benefits in the future.
Self-Deportation May Not Be the Best Option
The CBP Home program is being sold as a “voluntary” departure option. On the surface, it sounds like an easy way out: avoid the threat of deportation, collect a $1,000 travel bonus, and leave on your own terms. But we need to be clear, this is not a meaningful choice for most immigrants.
For many people, the conditions that led them to consider self-deportation have been building for years. Some have fled violence or persecution. Others have been here for decades, working, raising families, and contributing to their communities. What they haven’t had is access to trustworthy legal guidance or a clear path forward.
We’ve spoken to clients who were eligible for permanent residency or other immigration relief but never knew it because they were misled by unlicensed consultants or fell victim to scams. Others have received outdated or incorrect legal advice that left them vulnerable to removal.
Here’s the truth: once you leave the United States, even if you’re told it’s voluntary, you may not be able to come back.
You could trigger a 3-year or 10-year bar to reentry depending on how long you’ve been unlawfully present. You could waive your right to reopen your case or appeal a prior removal order. You could be walking away from legal options that were never fully explored.
And it’s not just your future at stake.
- Do you have U.S. citizen children?
- Are you caring for aging parents?
- Does your spouse depend on you financially or emotionally?
- Are you part of a community that relies on your presence?
Self-deportation doesn’t just affect the individual. It disrupts families. It destabilizes communities. It cuts people off from the life they’ve built.
Understanding the Legal Risks
Voluntary departure under this program may seem like a clean slate. But there are consequences to weigh:
- Ten-Year Bar: If you’ve been unlawfully present in the U.S. for more than a year and leave voluntarily, you may trigger a 10-year bar on reentry.
- Family Separation: U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members may not be able to petition for you later.
- Loss of Access to Relief: You could lose eligibility for VAWA, asylum, adjustment of status, or cancellation of removal.
Many of these risks are not being clearly communicated by the government. That’s why we urge every person to speak with an experienced immigration attorney before taking action.
A Growing Number of Immigrants Are Being Pressured to Leave
Across the country, we’re hearing from individuals who received threatening calls or letters suggesting they self-deport. In some cases, ICE officers have told detainees to “just sign” forms to go home. In others, community members are being told they have no options, when in fact, legal relief may be available.
Don’t rely on rumors or anonymous advice. This is your future. Make decisions based on facts and qualified legal guidance.
Checklist: What You Should Do Before Taking Action
Here is a checklist to help you get organized and take the right steps:
Before Downloading CBP Home or Signing Anything:
- Schedule a consultation with a licensed immigration attorney
- Confirm whether you have a pending immigration application or court case
- Obtain a copy of your full immigration record
- Understand the long-term impact of leaving the country
- Talk to family members about the consequences of your departure
- Verify that any paperwork or forms are legitimate and from DHS or USCIS
- Keep records of any communication or notices you receive from ICE or DHS
- Do not speak to law enforcement or immigration officers without a lawyer present
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Relying on notarios or non-attorneys for legal advice
- Believing verbal promises from immigration officers without documentation
- Leaving the U.S. without understanding bars to reentry
- Signing paperwork you don’t fully understand
- Waiting too long to consult an attorney
You May Have More Options Than You Realize
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we work with clients every day who were told they had “no case.” After reviewing their files, we often discover:
- Unused waivers or petitions that were never filed
- USCIS errors that can be corrected
- Pathways to work permits, green cards, or relief from removal
- Eligibility for asylum, SIJS, TPS, or cancellation of removal
Before you accept a one-way ticket out of the country, let us review your situation. You may have a better path forward than you think.
Top-Rated CT Immigration Attorneys are Here To Support You
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we believe every person deserves to understand their legal rights, protect their family, and explore every available immigration path before making any life-altering decision.
If you have questions about CBP Home, Project Homecoming, self-deportation, or your immigration status, don’t wait. Contact our team today at (203) 753-7300 or visit www.welcomelawfirm.com to schedule a fully confidential consultation. We proudly serve clients across Connecticut and throughout the United States and offer legal services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
