The Department of Homeland Security has announced certain benefits for illegal aliens to encourage their travel back to their home country or another country where they have lawful status. Illegal aliens may receive cost-free travel, forgiveness of any failure to depart fines, and a $1,000 exit bonus payable upon arrival in the country where the alien has returned. The announcement was made through the CBP Home Mobile App. www.dhs.gov/cbphome.
What are the incentives to self-deport?
Once non-criminal illegal aliens submit their intent to depart through the CBP Home Mobile App and pass vetting, they will temporarily be deprioritized by ICE for enforcement action before their scheduled departure.
Illegal aliens requesting assistance will have a timey departure arranged for them. The CBP Home Mobile App allows illegal aliens to plan their return, including having an opportunity to depart in a timely manner – allowing them to wrap up work, school, and personal matters and organize their return in an orderly and lawful way.
The CBP Home program lets eligible aliens return home as regular travelers – without arrest, detention, or restraints. It is a safe, orderly alternative that provides assistance and flexibility, not fear. Illegal aliens will have civil fines for failure to depart after a final order of removal or a voluntary departure order in the U.S. forgiven, and will not have to pay these fines.
How to participate
Illegal aliens must use the CBP Home Mobile App to record their intention to voluntarily depart from the United States.
https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbphome
This feature allows illegal aliens to voluntarily notify the U.S. government of their intent to depart the United States instead of facing ICE enforcement actions, detention, and removal. Eligible illegal aliens receive cost-free travel, travel assistance, and a $1,000 exit bonus. They will also be deprioritized for detention and removal by ICE while preparing to leave.
Who qualifies for the incentives?
Non-criminal illegal aliens in the United States who had an encounter with CBP either at a port of entry or between ports of entry.
Categorical parolees whose legal presence in the United States has expired or will soon expire.
Aliens whose Temporary Protected Status is terminated.
The following aliens are also eligible:
1. Aliens in immigration proceedings. Potential participants should consult with your lawyer prior to indicating intent to self-deport.
2. Illegal aliens who have been previously deported.
3. Illegal aliens who have been ordered removed or have a final order of removal.
Benefits of Participating
1. A $1,000 exit bonus. It will be provided upon confirmation through the app that return has been completed.
2. Travel assistance. Illegal aliens who register for voluntary self-deportation through the CBP Home Mobile App will receive travel assistance, such as arranging travel for their children or extended family or obtaining valid travel documents. Aliens requesting assistance will have a timely departure arranged for them (estimated departure to be within 21 days of approval). Illegal aliens in need of assistance should take extra care to ensure that they provide accurate contact information and are responsive to outreach attempts.
3. Forgiveness of any failure to depart fines.
4. Leaving voluntarily may improve future immigration options.
5. De-prioritization for enforcement actions, detention and removal by ICE once the illegal aliens submit their intent to depart through the CBP Home Mobile App and pass vetting.
Effect of failure to voluntarily self-deport
If you are an alien unlawfully residing in the United States, ICE will continue to prioritize your removal. It is a process that often results in detention and rapid removal and could result in a permanent bar to reenter the United States.
What if illegal alien does not qualify
Illegal aliens who do not qualify but want to go home are encouraged to reach out to their home country’s Embassy or Consulate for assistance in returning home.
Information needed to sign up for CBP Home Mobile App
1. First name
2. Middle name
3. Last name
4. Date of birth
5. Country of citizenship
6. Email address
7. Phone number
8. A clear self-photo or selfie
Can families travel together?
Yes. You must register family members as co-travelers within the CBP Home Mobile App.
Should children (legal minors) register in the app?
Yes. They can be registered after an adult has been registered utilizing the same email account.
Can children (legal minors) travel with principal alien?
Yes, if:
1. They pass the usual CBP checks, like verifying ID and immigration status.
2. Parents and legal guardians have a notarized consent letter from any parent or legal guardian who is not traveling with the child. You can find examples of the consent letter online by searching for “Minor Travel Consent Form” or “Letter of Consent to Travel with a Minor”.
How to verify departure from the United States?
Air or sea travel. CBP will confirm your departure from the United States. Those using CBP Home Mobile App do not need to take any additional action. While not required, the alien can still self-report his/her departure through the CBP Home Mobile App and receive a digital record of the departure on the alien’s mobile device.
Land travel. After physically leaving the United States, the alien must open the CBP Home App, select “Departing Traveler” then select “Verify Departure”.
The alien must
1. Be at least three miles outside the U.S. border.
2. Authorize the use of location services on your phone.
3. Submit a new photo to CBP Home.
4. Submit your personal and travel information, including first and last name, date of birth, sex, passport or alien registration number, and country you are physically in while verifying departure.
Additional concerns
For additional concerns, please email: CBPHome@cbp.dhs.gov
(Atty. Tipon has a Master of Laws degree from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. His current practice focuses on immigration law and appellate criminal defense. He writes law books for the world’s largest law book publishing company and writes legal articles for newspapers. Atty. Tipon served as a U.S. Immigration Officer. He co-authored the best-seller “Immigration Law Service, 1st ed.,” an 8-volume practice guide for immigration officers and lawyers. Listen to him on KNDI radio in Honolulu, 1270 AM dial, every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Atty. Tipon was born in Laoag City, Philippines. Cell Phone (808) 225-2645. E-Mail: filamlaw@yahoo.com. This article is a general overview of the subject matter discussed and is not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between the writer and readers relying upon the contents of this article.)
