The Trump administration has repurposed a government-issued mobile application, CBP One, into a platform that allows undocumented migrants in the U.S. to submit an "intent to depart." Now rebranded as CBP Home, the app aims to provide a voluntary departure option to migrants, allowing them to leave the country without facing harsher immigration consequences.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the app is designed to give individuals the opportunity to exit the country on their own terms, rather than risk detention and deportation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that migrants who utilize the app "may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream." However, she also warned that those who do not voluntarily leave "will be found, deported and never return."
The app requires users to confirm whether they have sufficient financial resources to leave the U.S. and possess a valid passport. However, further details on the logistical aspects of the self-deportation process have not been provided.
CBP Home is part of a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration, which has included an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, the suspension of parole programs, and the establishment of a national registry for undocumented migrants. The administration has also launched a $200 million campaign to encourage undocumented individuals to either stay out of the country or leave voluntarily.
While the administration argues that CBP Home provides a structured way for individuals to depart, experts suggest that enforcing such policies may present logistical challenges. The effectiveness of this new approach remains to be seen.