US triples 'exit bonus' to $3,000 for voluntary deportation

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Homeland Security Department (DHS) said on Monday it is offering a temporary, increased incentive to encourage voluntary self-deportation before the year's end, tripling the stipend from $1,000 to $3,000.

Undocumented migrants who register to leave through the CBP Home mobile app will also receive a flight to their home countries, the agency said.

Signing up through the app also "qualifies recipients for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties for failing to depart the country."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the increased "exit bonus" is only valid until the end of the year. She said 1.9 million individuals have already "voluntarily self-deported" since January, with "tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program."

She urged people to "take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return."