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DHS launches retro 'Cyber Monday' campaign offering free flight and $1,000 to voluntary returnees

The Department of Homeland Security has launched a retro-themed "Cyber Monday" campaign offering a free flight home and a $1,000 cash bonus to people in the United States without authorization who voluntarily return using the CBP Home App. The program may also allow for forgiveness of certain civil fines and could preserve the possibility of returning legally in the future. DHS says departures can be arranged in roughly 10 days when documentation is complete and warns that those who decline voluntary programs remain subject to enforcement.

05:24 PM, 12/02/2025Politics
DHS launches retro 'Cyber Monday' campaign offering free flight and $1,000 to voluntary returnees

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rolled out a holiday-themed, 1990s‑style "Cyber Monday" campaign inviting people in the United States without authorization to voluntarily return to their home countries. The department says participants who use the CBP Home App can receive a free plane ticket and a $1,000 cash bonus, and may be eligible to have certain civil fines or penalties forgiven.

How the program works

DHS is administering the incentive through the CBP Home App. According to agency guidance, an individual downloads the app, submits their information, and DHS coordinates travel logistics and covers transportation costs. Once the return is confirmed through the app, the individual will receive the $1,000 bonus.

“The CBP Home App offers those in this country illegally a fantastic gift this holiday season: a free flight home, a $1,000 bonus, and the potential opportunity to return to the United States legally,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

Officials say the program also preserves the possibility of seeking legal return in the future and, in some cases, may include forgiveness of prior civil fines for failure to depart. DHS has described the effort as part of a broader initiative called Project Homecoming, intended to streamline voluntary departures.

Timing, eligibility and enforcement

Agency officials say departures can be arranged quickly when documentation and contact details are complete: a ticket may be booked and travel completed in roughly 10 days in straightforward cases. However, processing and stipend payments can be delayed or denied for incomplete or inaccurate information, lack of valid travel documents, or ineligibility under program rules.

DHS also warns that those who do not participate in voluntary programs remain subject to immigration enforcement and could face arrest, removal, and restrictions on future entry. The department characterized the campaign as an incentive for eligible people to choose voluntary return rather than risk formal deportation.

As part of its public messaging, DHS cited that roughly 2 million people have left the United States either through removals or voluntary departures under recent policies. The agency said tens of thousands have used the CBP Home App since Project Homecoming launched earlier in the year.

Note: This article reports DHS statements and program details as announced by the department. Individuals interested in the program should consult official DHS resources and legal counsel to understand eligibility, documentation requirements, and potential consequences.

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