U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers $3,000 for voluntary departure of minors

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded financial incentives for unaccompanied migrant children to voluntarily depart the United States. Under the current program, certain minors are being offered $3,000 to arrange their departure, an increase from the $2,500 incentive offered in October 2025.

DHS officials stated that the $3,000 payment is intended for unaccompanied minors aged 14 or older who are in government custody and have no gang affiliations. However, legal representatives have reported that offers are being extended to much younger children, including those as young as five and eleven years old.

The administration maintains that these voluntary departure programs serve as an alternative to detention and forced removal. The initiative is part of a broader self-deportation effort facilitated through the CBP Home mobile application. Legal experts have raised concerns regarding the eligibility criteria, the ability of young children to provide meaningful consent, and the potential long-term impact these decisions may have on future immigration and protection claims.