DHS increasing self-deportation stipend from $1,000 to $2,600

[mystery-ak]

DHS increasing self-deportation stipend from $1,000 to $2,600

The administration previously offered $1,000 for those who self-deported.
ByLuke Barr
January 21, 2026, 12:11 PM

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday that it is increasing its stipend for those who are in the United States illegally and self-deport by $1,600.

Previously, DHS offered $1,000 to those who use the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to self-deport, but now, it's raising that number to $2,600.

DHS claimed that since January 2025, 2.2 million people who are in the U.S. illegally have voluntarily self-deported -- with "tens of thousands" using the CBP app. A report from the Brookings Institution released last week called DHS' data into question, saying the department's numbers "should not be considered a serious source."

"To celebrate one year of this administration, the U.S. taxpayer is generously increasing the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally- offering a $2,600 exit bonus,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a release. "Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return."

The increased amount is to mark to the first year of President Donald Trump's term in office, and may only be temporary, DHS said in the release.

more
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dhs-increasing-deportation-stipend-1000-2600/story?id=129420562

[Smokin Joe]

While this might encourage more to leave, others might hold out for the next 'raise'...

[Fishrrman]

Smokin' Joe observes:
"...others might hold out for the next 'raise'"

Raise the "exit bonus" to 10,000.
Too high, you say?
Consider how much more more more more more more more more it will cost Americans if they stay...

[libertybele]

Smokin' Joe observes:
"...others might hold out for the next 'raise'"

Raise the "exit bonus" to 10,000.
Too high, you say?
Consider how much more more more more more more more more it will cost Americans if they stay...

...and what's to stop them from sending that money back over the border?

No.  Deportations WITHOUT monetary reward.   We're rewarding them for being here ILLEGALLY??   Nope.  That's b.s.

[Smokin Joe]

...and what's to stop them from sending that money back over the border?

No.  Deportations WITHOUT monetary reward.   We're rewarding them for being here ILLEGALLY??   Nope.  That's b.s.

I completely agree, in principle.
But for those who are collecting multiples of that from the public trough, it is thin gruel...

A large enough payout that they desire it, and give it to them at their destination with the advisement that if they come back it's life on a labor gang, the long term savings might work out for the better.