The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday its decision to rescind fines levied against thousands of undocumented migrants, contingent upon one stipulation: they must self-deport using the CBP Home app. This technology, specifically designed to manage voluntary departure, offers an incentive for those willing to leave the United States.
"With a free flight, a $1,000 stipend, and the waiver of fines, illegal immigrants have no excuse not to leave the United States," stated the DHS in an official release dated June 9. This initiative aims to facilitate and encourage self-deportation as the primary method of exit for individuals residing illegally in the country.
Incentives provided include:
- Complete forgiveness of civil fines accrued for overstaying in the country.
- A complimentary return flight to their country of origin.
- A $1,000 departure bonus, disbursed upon confirmation of their return.
The DHS emphasized, "Self-deportation is the safest and most economical way to exit the U.S. By choosing this route, undocumented immigrants manage their departure and retain the opportunity to return legally in the future." The CBP Home application has been made more user-friendly to streamline this process and is available on both Android and Apple devices, as well as directly on the DHS official website.
Strict Warning for Non-Compliance
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, issued a stern warning to those opting to ignore this opportunity: "If you are here illegally, utilize the CBP Home app to manage your departure and receive financial assistance to return home. Failure to comply will result in fines, arrest, deportation, and a permanent ban from re-entering the U.S."
This strategy represents a dual approach: offering legal and financial benefits for voluntary departure while maintaining strict measures for those who choose to remain.
Legacy of Trump's First Term: Penalties and Sanctions
An immigration law from 1996, reinstated during Donald Trump's first term in 2018, is being used to impose daily financial penalties on migrants who do not comply with deportation orders issued by U.S. immigration judges. So far, these fines have reached up to $1.8 million, affecting approximately 4,500 migrants.
Authorities estimate that the total fines accrued by 1.4 million individuals with final deportation orders could exceed $500 million, as confirmed by a senior official to Reuters under anonymity. Fines, which can be as high as $998 per day, are retroactively applied for up to five years. Notifications are sent by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for implementing any potential seizures. Migrants have a 30-day window to appeal, under oath and with supporting documentation.
The Case of Wendy Ortiz: A Notable Example
One of the most prominent cases recently is that of Wendy Ortiz, a 32-year-old Salvadoran residing in Pennsylvania. Having lived in the U.S. for a decade, she works at a meatpacking plant earning $13 an hour and was fined $1.8 million.
Ortiz fled her country due to domestic violence and gang threats. Her six-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, has autism. In 2015, she crossed the border and was released after being deemed to have "credible fear." She never received a court summons and was deported in absentia in 2018. Earlier this year, her attorney, Rosina Stambaugh, requested humanitarian relief, citing the severe risks Ortiz would face if she returned to El Salvador and the loss of her son's therapies. She sought prosecutorial discretion and the reopening of the case, but the situation shifted with Trump's return to the White House.
Reuters spoke to eight lawyers who reported fines ranging from a few thousand to the maximum of $1.8 million. One lawyer, Robert Scott, confirmed that his client, a Mexican woman residing in the U.S. for 25 years, also received the maximum fine. She was unaware of her deportation order from 2013. Similar cases impact families with mixed immigration status. A U.S. citizen named Rosa reported that her Honduran husband was fined $5,000. Although granted voluntary departure in 2018, he remained in the U.S. due to cancer treatment. Legal experts anticipate a surge of litigation and judicial pushback in the coming weeks.
Understanding Self-Deportation and Associated Benefits
What incentives are offered for migrants who choose to self-deport?
Migrants who opt for self-deportation receive a full waiver of accumulated fines, a free flight back to their home country, and a $1,000 stipend upon confirmation of their return.
How does the CBP Home app facilitate the self-deportation process?
The CBP Home app is designed to streamline the self-deportation process, making it accessible on Android and Apple devices. It allows migrants to manage their departure and take advantage of the incentives offered.
What are the consequences for migrants who do not comply with self-deportation?
Migrants who do not comply with self-deportation face fines, arrest, deportation, and a permanent ban from re-entering the United States.