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A record share of deportation cases in the United States ended with illegal immigrants voluntarily leaving the country in 2025, as the Trump administration expanded financial incentives aimed at encouraging self-deportation.
Nearly three in 10 deportation cases last year concluded with individuals voluntarily departing, the highest percentage on record, according to the analysis.
“That figure only appears to be climbing as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown widens and detention populations swell,” CBS News reported.
The report added that the percentage of voluntary departures among detained migrants increased almost every month in 2025, reaching 38 percent in December. The figures do not include people removed under expedited proceedings who did not appear before an immigration judge.
The administration has promoted self-deportation programs as a key part of its immigration strategy. Last year, the Department of Homeland Security introduced stipends for migrants who agree to leave using the CBP Home app, including government-funded flights back to their home countries.
In January, DHS announced the stipend would increase to $2,600 along with a free flight. Officials have said roughly two million people may have self-deported within the past year.
“To celebrate one year of this administration, the U.S. taxpayer is generously increasing the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally — offering a $2,600 exit bonus,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. “Illegal aliens should 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.”
The administration says the program reduces enforcement costs and encourages voluntary compliance with immigration laws. Labor data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the foreign-born population declined by about 2.3 million during President Trump’s first year back in office.
That contrasts with the previous four years under former President Joe Biden, when the foreign-born population grew by approximately 7.4 million, according to the same data.