Trump's Project Homecoming Targets 200,000 Self-Deportations

Donald Trump launched Project Homecoming to facilitate the voluntary departure of unauthorized immigrants through financial incentives and government-funded transportation. As of July 16, 2026, approximately 132,000 people have exited the United States, with another 70,000 signed up to leave, placing the initiative on pace to surpass 200,000 departures.

The program provides free airfare and cash stipends that have increased from $1,000 to a current rate of $2,600. After a slow start in May 2025, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller pressured officials to accelerate daily departures. Growth spiked in August 2025 after the Department of Government Efficiency integrated personnel into 40 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers to reduce detention times by two-thirds.

The Department of Homeland Security reports that the program costs approximately $2,500 plus a stipend per person, significantly lower than the $18,245 required for non-voluntary removals. The agency projects long-term taxpayer savings between $2 billion and $2.5 billion. While the administration credits the CBP Home app for increasing efficiency, the International Organization for Migration ceased its involvement in March 2026, and some participants report they have not received their promised payments.