President Trump released a video Wednesday promoting Customs and Border Protection’s new “self-deport” app function, taking a carrots-and-sticks approach in his pitch to illegal immigrants.
“People in our country illegally can self-deport the easy way or they can get deported the hard way and that’s not pleasant,” Trump, 78, warned in a 90-second clip touting the modified CBP Home app.
The Department of Homeland Security rolled out the retooled app earlier this month to help illegal immigrants self-deport. The launch came weeks after the Trump administration ended the Biden-era CPB One app that allowed migrants at the border to pursue legal pathways into the US.
Should illegal immigrants take advantage of the self-deport option, Trump said they may be allowed to enter the country legally at some point down the line.
“If they do, they could potentially have the opportunity to return legally at some point in the future,” Trump said.
“If they do not avail themselves of this opportunity, then they will be found, they will be deported,” he added. “And they will never be admitted again to the United States — ever, ever again. You’re never coming in.”
Trump’s effort to promote self-deportation comes as the administration finds itself with somewhat limited resources to enforce immigration law.
Republicans in Congress are drafting legislation intended to marshal tens of billions of dollars worth of resources for border security.
But that legislation is expected to take weeks before it gets passed.
In the meantime, Trump is trying to deter migrants from entering the country and encourage illegal immigrants to get out on their own.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has rolled out ads urging illegal immigrants to “leave now” and the administration is spending some $200 million internationally cautioning foreigners against illegally crossing into the US.
Encounters at the southwest border have taken a nosedive under the Trump administration, plummeting to 11,709 last month, compared to 189,913 during February of 2024, according to data from US Customs and Border Patrol.
Trump’s video promoting the CBP Home app was posted on his social media accounts, including Truth Social.
“Using the CBP Home app to leave the United States voluntarily is the safest option for illegal aliens, our law enforcement,” Trump said. “It also save[s] the US taxpayers.”
The app is available on both the Apple and Google app stores.
With the CBP Home app, illegal immigrants can “Submit Intent to Depart” and provide information to authorities.
Migrants previously enrolled in the Biden-era app will also get the option to give the government evidence to verify that they left the country.
