HOUSTON – A newly updated federal immigration app is drawing sharp reactions from immigrant advocates, policymakers, and Houston families.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. using the CBP Home app are now eligible to receive $1,000 and help arranging travel back to their home country.
DHS says the move is aimed at reducing costs and making what officials call a “dignified and safe” departure option available to those here illegally.
“If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in a press release.
How the program works
The CBP Home app—formerly known as CBP One—was originally used by migrants to schedule legal asylum appointments at the U.S. border.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration repurposed the app into a tool for self-deportation.
Now, undocumented immigrants can log in to the app, submit an “Intent to Depart”, and—if approved—verify their exit by uploading documents, biometric facial images, and location data.
Once DHS confirms that the person has left the country, a $1,000 stipend will be issued. DHS says it has already successfully booked travel for several individuals through the app, including a flight from Chicago to Honduras.
Cost-saving—or concerning?
According to the agency, the average cost of detaining and deporting someone is $17,121. DHS claims this voluntary departure program could cut those costs by as much as 70%, even with the stipend included.
But Houston-based immigration organizations say the plan isn’t as simple as it sounds.
“The promise is that if people self-deport and prove they’re back in their home country, they’ll receive a $1,000 stipend,” said Cesar Espinoza, executive director of FIEL Houston. “The question people have is—how is that actually going to work? And will it come with risks if something goes wrong?”
Critics also warn that messaging from DHS could mislead immigrants into thinking they’ll be eligible to return to the U.S. legally after leaving voluntarily. The agency says participation in the program “may help preserve the option” for future reentry—but experts note that “may” is far from a guarantee.
Mixed reactions in Houston
In Pearland, several residents told KPRC 2 the policy felt rushed and unclear.
“No—because I would lose more,” said Patricia Morales, a mother of two whose children were born in the U.S. “I’ve already built a life. $1,000 isn’t worth everything I’ve sacrificed.”
“I don’t think it helps anyone,” said Oscar Rivas, another Houston resident. “You get $1,000—but then what? It’s gone in a day.”
Support from Texas lawmakers
Texas Congressman Randy Weber issued a statement in support of the policy, calling it a “common-sense” solution that saves taxpayers money and helps enforce immigration laws.
“The Trump Administration has it right—encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport is just common sense,” Weber said. “We have legal pathways to citizenship, and they must be respected—not bypassed. If a stipend helps them leave voluntarily and saves taxpayer dollars, it’s a win for the rule of law, a win for taxpayers, and a win for America.”
What’s next?
DHS reports that over 5,000 undocumented immigrants have already initiated the self-deportation process through the CBP Home app since the start of 2025. However, the agency has not disclosed how many of those individuals have actually left the U.S.
As the administration ramps up promotion of the app—including Spanish-language ads across the U.S. and Mexico—Houston immigrant families are still weighing their options.
