The Trump administration has significantly increased its incentive for undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the United States, tripling a "bonus" offer to US$3,000. This "limited time offer" is valid only until the end of the year, coinciding with the holiday season, and is part of a broader push to reduce unlawful immigration.
Voluntary Departure with a Bonus
According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), undocumented individuals who choose to depart voluntarily before the year's end can claim the US$3,000 payment. The department's message is stark: "Those illegal aliens who don’t take advantage of this special offer today have only one alternative: They will be arrested, deported, and they will never be able to return to the United States."
This elevated incentive builds upon an existing "self-deportation" program launched in May, which initially offered US$1,000 plus travel costs for voluntary departure through a dedicated app. President Donald Trump has consistently prioritized preventing unlawful immigration and expelling undocumented migrants throughout his second term, implementing stricter entry and visa conditions.
Agency Efforts & Controversial Tactics
Federal agencies are actively promoting this initiative with varying approaches. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has employed highly controversial tactics, including a post on X (formerly Twitter) urging migrants to "AVOID ICE AIR AND SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST! Self-deport today with the CBP Home app, earn $3,000 and spend Christmas at home with loved ones."
This message was accompanied by a video depicting a Santa Claus figure, adorned with an ICE flak jacket and badge, detaining and deporting an individual while "Carol Of The Bells" played in the background. Critics often accuse ICE of adopting a paramilitary operational style, particularly given its mandate to deport record numbers of undocumented migrants under the current administration.
State Department Weighs In
In a separate but related move, the US State Department issued its own holiday-themed communication. It shared a screenshot of a Fox News report highlighting the revocation of 95,000 visas in 2025, including over 8,000 international student visas, with the caption: "Merry (early) Christmas." These concerted efforts underscore the administration's aggressive stance on immigration enforcement as the year draws to a close.
