2,500 migrants have registered in the CBP Home app, not to seek asylum or protection, but to self-deport from the United States.
CBP Home, derived from the CBP One application, originally created to organize asylum requests at the southern border, has become a reflection of the hopelessness of hundreds who, after facing the barriers of the immigration system, choose to return to their home countries voluntarily.
The alarming figure was revealed by the Fox News journalist, Bill Melugin, who cited statements from the "border czar" in the administration of President Donald Trump, Tom Homan, during a live broadcast.
According to Homan, approximately 2,500 people have voluntarily registered to be expelled from the country through the app, and the government plans to expand the promotion of the program in various languages to further encourage this type of exit.
What should have been a humanitarian tool to organize migration flows and protect asylum seekers is now becoming a way for migrants to manage their expulsion.
CBP Home was developed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Its main purpose is to allow immigrants in irregular situations to notify authorities of their intention to voluntarily leave the country. This tool was launched on March 10, 2025.
After his presentation, in a video posted on the social network X by the White House, Trump warned: "Do it the easy way, or you'll be deported the hard way", stating that those who do not choose to self-deport will be identified, deported, and will never be able to return legally to U.S. territory.
Among the objectives of the application are the strengthening of border security, ensuring compliance with immigration laws, and providing immigrants with a pathway for voluntary departure, thereby avoiding more severe deportation procedures.
In addition to the departure notification, CBP Home offers features such as the advance request for the I-94 form for temporary entries, checking wait times at border crossings, and scheduling appointments for the inspection of perishable goods.
The application has come under scrutiny from immigrant rights advocates, who point out that its use offers no concrete advantages and may harm those who register if they decide to stay. The actual process for returning legally after a deportation would require a challenging pardon application, with a low likelihood of success.
As this policy normalizes, social and political tension is rising. In the same broadcast with Fox News, Homan also announced that a large protest against ICE was planned for Friday in front of his residence in New York, a sign of the growing backlash against the actions of the federal agency responsible for deportations.
This trend occurs within a context where the Trump administration has reported a 94% reduction in illegal crossings through the southern border in March, compared to the same month of the previous year. According to official statements, this decline is attributed to the implementation of stricter measures and the deployment of military resources at the border.
Homan, who served as acting director of ICE during the previous Trump administration (2017-2021), emphasized that "we have secured the border. Crossings have decreased by 96%", attributing this change to the support of the U.S. military for border agents, which has strengthened monitoring and deterrence of undocumented immigrants.
Behind the rise in self-deportations are stories of frustration and abandonment. Migrants who arrive filled with hope, only to confront hunger, unemployment, labor exploitation, or the constant fear of being detained, see this path as their only dignified exit. Some return to countries where conditions await them that are just as difficult, if not more so, than those they left behind.
Frequently asked questions about the CBP Home app and self-deportation
What is the CBP Home application and what is it used for?
The CBP Home application is a digital tool developed by the United States Customs and Border Protection Office that allows immigrants in an irregular situation to notify their intention to voluntarily leave the country. This application provides a way for immigrants to manage their self-deportation and avoid more severe deportation procedures.
How many people have registered with CBP Home for self-deportation?
As of now, approximately 2,500 people have registered in the CBP Home app to self-deport from the United States. This number reflects the desperation of many immigrants who, facing barriers within the immigration system, choose to return to their countries of origin voluntarily.
What are the consequences of not using the CBP Home application for self-deportation?
Immigrants who do not choose to self-deport through CBP Home may face more severe deportation proceedings, be identified and forcibly deported, and lose the chance to return legally to the United States in the future. The current administration has emphasized that self-deportation is the safest and most humane option for those in an irregular situation.
What other features does the CBP Home app offer?
In addition to the voluntary departure notification, the CBP Home application allows users to request the I-94 form for temporary entries in advance, check waiting times at border crossings, and schedule appointments for the inspection of perishable goods. These features aim to streamline the immigration process and enhance the management of flows at the border.
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