Thousands Opt for Self-Deportation Using CBP Home App Amid Immigration Challenges

Approximately 2,500 migrants have turned to the CBP Home app, not to seek asylum or protection, but to initiate their own departure from the United States. Initially an extension of the CBP One app, which was created to streamline asylum applications at the southern border, CBP Home now mirrors the desperation felt by many who, after encountering the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, choose to voluntarily return to their home countries.

This startling statistic was unveiled by Fox News journalist Bill Melugin, who referenced statements made by Tom Homan, the "border czar" during President Donald Trump's administration. According to Homan, around 2,500 individuals have willingly registered for expulsion through the app, with the government planning to expand the program's promotion in multiple languages to further encourage such departures.

What was intended as a humanitarian tool to manage migration flows and safeguard asylum seekers has shifted into a means for migrants to arrange their own removal. Developed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CBP Home aims to let undocumented immigrants notify authorities of their intent to voluntarily exit the country. This app was launched on March 10, 2025.

In a video posted on social media platform X by the White House, Trump warned, "Take the easy way, or you'll be deported the hard way," emphasizing that those who do not choose self-deportation will be identified, deported, and barred from legally returning to the U.S. The app's objectives include strengthening border security, ensuring compliance with immigration laws, and providing immigrants a pathway for voluntary departure, thereby avoiding more severe deportation procedures.

Besides notifying departure intentions, CBP Home offers features like pre-requesting the I-94 form for temporary entries, checking wait times at border crossings, and scheduling inspections for perishable goods. However, the app has faced criticism from immigrant rights advocates who argue that it provides no tangible benefits and may disadvantage those who register if they decide to stay. The reality of legally returning after deportation involves a challenging pardon application with a low success rate.

As this policy becomes more commonplace, social and political tensions are on the rise. During the same Fox News broadcast, Homan also mentioned a planned large-scale protest against ICE outside his New York residence, highlighting the growing opposition to the federal agency's deportation efforts.

This trend occurs within a broader context where the Trump administration claims a 94% reduction in illegal crossings at the southern border in March, compared to the same month the previous year. Officials attribute this decline to stricter measures and the deployment of military resources at the border. Homan, who served as the acting director of ICE under Trump from 2017 to 2021, emphasized, "We've secured the border. Crossings are down 96%," crediting the U.S. military's support in reinforcing border patrols and deterring undocumented immigrants.

Behind the rise in self-deportations are stories of disappointment and abandonment. Migrants arrive with high hopes, only to face hunger, unemployment, labor exploitation, or the constant fear of arrest. For many, this path appears to be their only dignified option, even though some return to countries where they may encounter hardships as severe as those they left behind.