There is a form of a “self-deportation” or voluntary departure program in the U.S.—and it’s currently seeing new developments under the name “Project Homecoming.”

on May 9, 2025, President Trump signed Presidential Proclamation 10935, titled “Establishing Project Homecoming”. Though often referred to as an “executive order,” it is officially a presidential proclamation under the authority of the Immigration and Nationality Act houstonchronicle.com+11whitehouse.gov+11epi.org+11.

What the proclamation does:

• Creates a streamlined process (via the “CBP Home” app and airport concierge services) for unlawful immigrants to voluntarily self-deport, with the government covering flight costs washingtonpost.com+11whitehouse.gov+11whitehouse.gov+11.

• Offers a $1,000 “exit bonus” upon departure to incentivize participation reuters.com+13epi.org+13nypost.com+13.

• Directs a nationwide communications campaign warning of stringent penalties—such as removal, prosecution, fines, asset forfeiture—and motivates voluntary departure thedailybeast.com+13whitehouse.gov+13whitehouse.gov+13.

• Orders the Department of Homeland Security to augment immigration enforcement by “deputizing and contracting” 20,000 additional officers within 60 days for those who refuse to leave reuters.com+4whitehouse.gov+4immpolicytracking.org+4.

Background & implementation:

• The policy is being rolled out by DHS, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) helping manage voluntary returns washingtonpost.com.

• The first flight under the initiative departed in mid-May 2025, carrying 64 individuals to Honduras and Colombia, who received the stipend thedailybeast.com+2houstonchronicle.com+2nypost.com+2.

Legal and practical notes:

• Although titled a proclamation, many sources label it as an “executive order.” Legally, a proclamation (here, No. 10935) is distinct from an executive order but similarly carries the force of the presidency immpolicytracking.org+2epi.org+2immpolicytracking.org+2.

• Legal advocates express concern that “voluntary” programs under pressure may not fully respect due process or incentive clarity (e.g., reentry bans under existing immigration laws) cliniclegal.org+2washingtonpost.com+2houstonchronicle.com+2.

✅ Bottom line:

Project Homecoming is not an executive order per se, but a presidential proclamation issued on May 9, 2025, establishing the voluntary self-deportation program with government-funded flights, a $1,000 exit bonus, and an aggressive enforcement fallback.

1. What is Voluntary Departure?

A long‑standing legal process allows certain undocumented individuals to leave the U.S. on their own before being formally removed by ICE. This is known as voluntary departure under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The key points are:

• You knowingly agree to leave the country within a set timeframe (typically 60–120 days, depending on the stage of your case) ecfr.gov+15houstonchronicle.com+15washingtonpost.com+15en.wikipedia.org+1ice.gov+1.

• It’s often preferable to being deported, as it avoids a removal order that could bar you from re-entering for 3, 10 years, or longer .

• You’re responsible for all travel arrangements and costs—government assistance is not part of the standard process.

2. “Project Homecoming” – New Self‑Deportation Incentives

In 2025, DHS introduced a revamped program under the Trump administration’s Project Homecoming, using a rebranded app (formerly CBP One, now “CBP Home”). It combines voluntary departure with financial incentives:

• Users can signal intent to leave via the CBP Home app and may receive government-arranged flights and a $1,000 stipend once DHS confirms their arrival abroad youtube.com+15dhs.gov+15visaserve.com+15nypost.com+7visaserve.com+7politico.com+7.

• DHS officials say this method is ~70 % cheaper than traditional deportation, which can cost over $17,000 per case wsj.com+3dhs.gov+3nypost.com+3.

• The first charter flight under the program left Houston in mid-May, carrying around 60 participants to Central/South America politico.com+4texastribune.org+4houstonchronicle.com+4.

3. How It Works (Project Homecoming)

1. Download and use the CBP Home app.

2. Submit a declaration of intent to leave.

3. DHS coordinates travel, confirms departure.

4. On confirmation, you receive a $1,000 stipend.

5. You may be deprioritized for ICE enforcement during the process, and this could help preserve options for legal re-entry later ecfr.gov+15dhs.gov+15visaserve.com+15nypost.com+5ecfr.gov+5nypost.com+5firrp.org+9visaserve.com+9nypost.com+9.

4. Caveats & Criticisms

• No guarantee the stipend will actually be paid—some judges and attorneys warn there’s no law guaranteeing this, and the funds could be withheld themarshallproject.org.

• Participants may still incur 10-year reentry bans under existing immigration laws dhs.gov+15ft.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15.

• Critics argue that incentives may not outweigh the emotional/economic costs of leaving a life already built in the U.S. themarshallproject.org+2ft.com+2firrp.org+2.

✅ 5. Summary

• Yes, the U.S. has long allowed voluntary departure—a legal exit without formal removal.

• Project Homecoming is a new, more structured voluntary‑departure program that adds app-based coordination, paid flights, and a $1,000 stipend.

• It offers a dignified, less punitive option for undocumented migrants—yet it comes with legal risks, potential bans on return, and no iron‑clad promise on the financial incentive.

If you’re considering this option, it’s strongly recommended to speak with an immigration attorney to understand eligibility, timing, and long-term implications fully.

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