The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is promoting self-deportation for undocumented immigrants through the rebranded CBP Home app, which now includes a "self-deportation reporting feature." This initiative is part of a [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is intensifying its campaign aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to self-deport, leveraging a mobile application and a comprehensive advertising initiative. This strategic shift comes in response to lower-than-expected deportation numbers during the early months of President Donald Trump's administration, a key promise of his campaign.
Revamped Mobile Application
This week, the Trump administration reintroduced the CBP One app, now rebranded as the CBP Home app, with a new focus. Previously utilized under the Biden administration for asylum applications, the app has been modified to include a "self-deportation reporting feature." According to DHS, this option is presented as "the safest choice" for undocumented immigrants, designed to conserve law enforcement resources.
The relaunch of the app is part of a broader messaging strategy that features advertisements starring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. These ads, which are backed by a 0 million budget, aim to convey a clear message: undocumented immigrants are encouraged to leave the country voluntarily.
In the domestic version of the ad, Noem expresses gratitude to Trump for his immigration policies and delivers a stark warning: "President Trump has a clear message for those that are in our country illegally. Leave now. If you don’t, we will find you and we will deport you. You will never return." She concludes by emphasizing that "a strong nation is a safe nation," reinforcing the administration's stance on immigration.
Advertising Campaign and Its Reach
The advertisements have already begun airing across various television stations in states such as New Jersey, New York, California, and Florida, as well as in cities like Phoenix, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. An international version of the ad similarly discourages illegal entry into the U.S.
Reports indicate that two firms with Republican affiliations have been contracted to oversee the messaging campaign. In her statements, Noem has suggested that those who choose to self-deport might still have the opportunity to return legally in the future. However, immigration experts have raised concerns about the implications of this message.
Expert Opinions on Self-Deportation
Critics, including Kathleen Bush-Joseph from the Migration Policy Institute, caution that the term "may" in Noem's statement regarding future legal re-entry is significant. The potential for lawful return varies greatly based on individual circumstances, including prior unlawful presence or existing deportation orders. These factors can severely limit an individual's chances of re-entering the U.S. legally.
Heidi Altman, vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center, echoed these concerns, stating that for many who leave the U.S., there may be no lawful path back, or re-entry could be barred for extended periods. She emphasized the political, moral, and economic ramifications of pressuring individuals to abandon their homes and loved ones.
As Trump has also dismantled several legal immigration programs, advocates like Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet warn that those who were once legally present may find themselves increasingly vulnerable to the administration's enforcement strategies. He describes the approach as "enforcement by attrition," where the aim is to create conditions that compel individuals to leave voluntarily.
Legal Rights and Consequences
Bree Bernwanger, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, highlighted that individuals living in the U.S. without status retain rights under federal law to contest their removal in immigration court. She cautioned that accepting voluntary departure can lead to significant consequences, including barring future re-entry, even if a lawful basis exists.
For the administration, the new app may serve as a mechanism to track self-deportations, a process that has historically been challenging to quantify. While data on voluntary departures exists, the specifics surrounding those who leave the country without being in formal removal proceedings remain elusive, leaving a gap in understanding the full impact of these policies. " max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.7" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] million advertising campaign featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, encouraging undocumented individuals to voluntarily leave the U.S. The ads are airing in various states and cities, with a clear message that failure to leave could lead to deportation. Critics have raised concerns about the implications of self-deportation, noting that the potential for lawful re-entry varies based on individual circumstances. Experts warn that accepting voluntary departure could result in significant consequences, including barring future re-entry. The new app may help the administration track self-deportations, though quantifying voluntary departures remains challenging.
