The Department of Homeland Security announced Monday it will offer a $3,000 stipend to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries through the CBP Home app by December 31, 2025.
The holiday program triples the previous incentive amount and includes a free flight home for participants. Those who use the app to self-deport will also receive forgiveness of civil fines or penalties related to failing to leave the country.
According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, approximately 1.9 million undocumented immigrants have voluntarily departed the United States since January 2025, with tens of thousands utilizing the CBP Home program. The temporary increased stipend is funded by U.S. taxpayers and applies only to applications submitted before the end of the year.
The CBP Home app allows users to download the application, submit their information, and have DHS arrange travel logistics. The department stated that individuals who do not participate in the voluntary program will face arrest and deportation, with permanent bars to re-entry.
The program represents part of the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, combining financial incentives for voluntary departure with threats of arrest for those who remain in the country without authorization.
While DHS provided aggregate national data, it remains unclear how many Nepali nationals have voluntarily departed the United States under the CBP Home program since January 2025.
A total of 75 Nepali nationals were deported from the United States in a recent operation, according to Nepal’s Department of Immigration. The group—comprising 69 men and six women—arrived at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Thursday evening aboard an Omni Air International flight. They were handed over to the Nepal Police Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau for further processing, officials confirmed.
This latest removal follows heightened enforcement of immigration laws under President Donald Trump’s second term. Deportations of Nepali nationals have trended upward throughout 2025, peaking in November with 80 deportees. Earlier records show fluctuating monthly figures: six in January, 18 in February, 32 in March, 26 in April, 58 in May, 42 in June, 17 in July, 16 in August, and 53 in September.
On November 19 alone, 35 Nepalis were deported, many of whom had entered the United States via Mexico after paying smugglers up to $70,000, according to Nepal’s Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau. Data shows that over 70 percent of that group were under the age of 36.
Nepali officials say deportees are typically released to their families after preliminary questioning, unless trafficking-related complaints are filed.
The uptick in removals comes after DHS officially terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepalis in August 2025, a decision upheld by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court. Former Nepali Ambassador Yuba Nath Lamsal said the deportations are consistent with standard international procedure but cautioned that the U.S. Embassy in Nepal might tighten visa scrutiny for future applicants.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
