LOS ANGELES:- The Trump administration has seen a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants voluntarily leaving the country under its mass deportation strategy.
According to a new report released by the Vera Institute of Justice, the number of voluntary departures has risen from about 800 per month in December 2024 to 8,800 per month by February 2026. This figure represents a 993 percent increase over the previous administration.
The government’s strategy is to make this decision more likely for people in immigration detention. The Trump administration has taken several steps to encourage immigrants to leave the country voluntarily, including offering free airfare and a $2,600 cash incentive to those who apply through the CBP Home app, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The number of immigrants voluntarily leaving the United States under the Trump administration’s mass deportation strategy has increased dramatically. According to a new report released by the Vera Institute of Justice, the number of voluntary departures has risen from around 800 per month in December 2024 to 8,800 per month by February 2026. This figure represents a 993 percent increase over the previous administration.
The government’s strategy is to make this decision more likely for people in immigration detention. The Trump administration has taken several steps to encourage immigrants to leave the country voluntarily, including offering free airfare and a $2,600 cash incentive to those who apply through the CBP Home app, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Immigration judges say that immigrants who choose “voluntary departure” can avoid the formal deportation process. This helps keep the path open to returning to the United States legally in the future. While deportation orders typically bar entry into the United States for 10 years, those who return voluntarily can apply for visas sooner.
However, legal experts and the National Immigration Law Center have warned of the hidden risks involved. Returning voluntarily using the CBP Home app means admitting that you are in the United States illegally.
This admission could hinder future family sponsorship or company visa applications. In addition, re-entry has become more difficult as the Trump administration has reduced the refugee quota to 7,500 annually.