U.S. Unveils New App for ‘Self-Deportation’ of Illegal Aliens

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a new mobile application, CBP Home, designed to allow undocumented migrants in the United States to report their intent to voluntarily leave the country. The app, which replaces the Biden-era CBP One platform, marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration.

Announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the CBP Home app includes a self-deportation reporting feature, which DHS describes as the “safest option” for undocumented migrants while preserving law enforcement resources.

“The CBP Home app gives aliens the option to leave now and self-deport, so they may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and live the American dream. If they don’t, we will find them, we will deport them, and they will never return,” Noem stated.

A Shift in U.S. Immigration Policy

The introduction of the app is part of a broader $200 million domestic and international ad campaign urging undocumented migrants to “Stay Out and Leave Now.” The initiative aligns with the administration’s broader immigration crackdown, which includes a national registry for undocumented migrants and increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

Initially launched in 2020 as CBP One, the mobile platform was expanded during the Biden administration to facilitate asylum applications and appointments at U.S. ports of entry. Officials credited the app with reducing border detentions and streamlining asylum processing. However, the Trump administration has repurposed the technology, shifting its focus to encouraging voluntary departures.

How the CBP Home App Works

The newly rebranded CBP Home app requires users to provide key details, including:

• Their intent to depart the United States
• Whether they have sufficient funds for travel
• Whether they possess a valid, unexpired passport

Once submitted, DHS has not yet clarified the specific process for handling self-reported departures or whether law enforcement agencies will track compliance.

Concerns Over Implementation

Immigration policy experts warn that the voluntary nature of self-deportation may not be widely adopted by undocumented migrants who fear detention or family separation. Critics argue that the administration’s broader immigration policies, including increased ICE raids and the halt of humanitarian parole programs, are creating a climate of fear rather than offering viable legal pathways for migrants.

Additionally, civil rights organizations have raised concerns over the proposed national migrant registry, which would require undocumented individuals over the age of 14 to register their address and fingerprints with the government or risk potential criminal prosecution.

Political Reactions and Next Steps

The CBP Home app’s launch is likely to intensify the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States. Proponents argue that self-deportation is a cost-effective and humane alternative to mass detentions and deportations. However, advocacy groups caution that the policy disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and fails to address the root causes of migration.

With immigration emerging as a key issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the effectiveness and reception of the CBP Home app will be closely monitored in the coming months.

For now, the CBP Home app is available for download across all major mobile platforms, automatically replacing CBP One for existing users.