On March 18, 2025, the Trump administration launched a new application called "CBP
Home" that allows undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the United States rather
than face potential arrest and detention. This move aligns with President Trump's broader
deportation strategy since taking office in January.

According to officials, the app provides an option for users to indicate their "intent to
depart" the country. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that this
voluntary departure route may preserve future opportunities for legal immigration, stating
that those who self-deport "may still have the opportunity to return legally in the future and
live the American dream." She added a stern warning that those who don't take this option
would face deportation and permanent exclusion from the country.

This development comes amid President Trump's campaign promise to deport record
numbers of undocumented immigrants, though current deportation figures remain below
the monthly averages seen during fiscal year 2024 under the Biden administration. It's
worth noting that many of the Biden-era deportations focused on recent border crossers.

The administration is implementing additional measures that could increase pressure on
undocumented immigrants to leave. A forthcoming regulation scheduled to take effect on
April 11 would require those without legal status to register with federal authorities or
potentially face fines or imprisonment.

CBP Home replaces the previous CBP One app created during the Biden administration,
which had allowed approximately one million migrants in Mexico to schedule appointments
to request entry at legal border crossings. Republicans had criticized this earlier program
for allegedly facilitating mass migration without sufficient vetting. The Trump
administration discontinued CBP One immediately after the presidential transition, leaving
many migrants with pending appointments in limbo.

The launch of CBP Home clearly demonstrates the Trump administration's immigration
priorities, which focus on reducing undocumented populations through both voluntary and
forced deportations. These priorities include stricter enforcement measures, creating
incentives for self-deportation, eliminating what the administration views as "pull factors"
that attract migration, and implementing more restrictive policies at the border. By shifting
from the appointment-based system of CBP One to the departure-focused CBP Home, the
administration has signaled a fundamental change in how it approaches immigration
management—emphasizing removal over facilitated entry and reflecting President Trump's
campaign promises to take a harder line on immigration enforcement.